What Is MMT? Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) is a gasoline additive used to boost octane. When MMT is burned, manganese, a metal known to be a neurotoxin when inhaled, is emitted from the tailpipe.
Characteristics of Manganese. When ingested, manganese is beneficial to the human body – in fact, it is an essential dietary element. High levels of ingested manganese are easily processed by the liver and do not pose a health risk. In contrast, studies of factory workers and laboratory ani-mals have demonstrated that when manganese is inhaled, it causes “manganism.” The symptoms of manganism are similar to those caused by Parkinson’s disease – tremors, slowed reaction times, and difficulty learning. Even at levels of exposure too low to cause obvious symptoms, inhaled manganese can cause memory loss and reduced motor speed. Manganese exposure also may ad-versely affect the reproductive and respiratory systems.
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