Introduction
If you worked as a welder or around industrial welding, you were exposed to manganese contained in welding rod fumes. Medical studies indicate that individuals who inhaled manganese fumes from welding rods have an increased risk of developing Manganese Poisoning and Parkinson's disease.

Medical Link
A research team at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis led by neurologist Brad A. Racette, M.D., found that professional welders developed typical clinical and neurological signs of the disease an average of 15 years earlier than the general population. The results of this study study were published in a professional neurology journal with an accompanying editorial.

Dr. Racette explains; "…it’s suspicious that the majority of these patients had a much younger age of onset. Our theory is that we have identified a group of people who probably would have developed the disease eventually, but something in the welding environment caused them to develop symptoms earlier."

Help
If you or someone you know has been exposed to welding rod fumes and has been diagnosed with Manganese Poisoning or Parkinson's disease, or has developed the symptoms associated with either Manganese Poisoning or Parkinson's disease, you may be entitled to receive compensation. For more information please fill out the welder's form or call toll free 1 (800) 799-2234 to receive additional information.