Showering could cause brain damage

July 8, 2005 3:51 PM

Showering could cause brain damage.
posted by Tlogmer (37 comments total)

Oh great, like hippies need another excuse to avoid soap.
posted by keswick at 3:57 PM on July 8, 2005

Hence the herd-like behavior of the great washed masses.
posted by joe lisboa at 4:03 PM on July 8, 2005

no wonder the french are so intellectual
posted by tsarfan at 4:06 PM on July 8, 2005

Yeah, we've all been dropping like flies over the last 100 years of indoor plumbing. Perhaps this does explain why Eistein had such hair...
posted by nomisxid at 4:06 PM on July 8, 2005

I thought the chlorine in there was going to get us first.
posted by lelilo at 4:08 PM on July 8, 2005

I see a lot of 'would's and 'could's and no actually research completed except on rats. You'd think we'd have a HUGE sample of evidence being that a large percentage of Americans take a shower everyday. You'd think if this was a serious problem we'd already be seeing the effects of manganese-poisoning. FUD.
posted by MiltonRandKalman at 4:08 PM on July 8, 2005

How can we find out which metro water systems have high levels of manganese?
posted by chaz at 4:08 PM on July 8, 2005

You'd think if this was a serious problem we'd already be seeing the effects of manganese-poisoning.

I don't think it's quite that simple, MiltonRandKalman.

These guys did real science. How, exactly, would we know if the entire population was slightly degraded by something like this? Does a doctor give you a regular manganese test? Do we know the exact cause of all illnesses?

Nope. Folks didn't once know that exposure to mercury was bad. Hence the expression "mad as a hatter." Eventually folk sstarted to figure out that maybe the mercury was rotting those guys' brains. But what if your toxin is in the general population at large? What's the control group to let you notice?

This may or may not pan out, but it's wrong to dismiss it out of hand.
posted by teece at 4:13 PM on July 8, 2005

It's incredibly obvious, isn't it? A foreign substance is introduced into our precious bodily fluids without the knowledge of the individual. Certainly without any choice.

That's the way your hard-core Commie works.
posted by sellout at 4:17 PM on July 8, 2005

What next? Discovery that saliva is carcinogenic when swallowed in small amounts over several decades?
posted by gregor-e at 4:23 PM on July 8, 2005

MiltonRandKalman... something like 1 out of 5 people have some sort of mental disorder. We may ALREADY be seeing the effects of manganese-poisoning.
posted by banished at 4:26 PM on July 8, 2005

same thing at love canal.. supposedly safe drinking water levels didn't add up to safe shower vapor levels
posted by nervousfritz at 4:33 PM on July 8, 2005

Some context:

The body is capable of excreting excess manganese through bile.

Manganese is a vital micro-nutrient, according to at least one good source.

Manganese is used in medicine to treat a variety of symptoms.

"Manganese supplementation, in combination with calcium, zinc and copper, showed some efficacy in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Manganese ascorbate, in combination with glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate, was helpful in treating knee osteoarthritis pain in a recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Followup on these studies is needed. Similarly, there is an isolated study needing followup that suggested some possible benefit from manganese in alleviating some PMS symptoms, including anxiety, depression, irritability and mood swings." Source

posted by thedevildancedlightly at 4:35 PM on July 8, 2005

You'd think we'd have a HUGE sample of evidence being that a large percentage of Americans take a shower everyday. You'd think if this was a serious problem we'd already be seeing the effects of manganese-poisoning.
Any research done comparing the number of showers taken by those who voted for George W. Bush compared with those who didn't?

Yeah, I'm kidding ... but it makes you wonder ...
posted by kaemaril at 4:35 PM on July 8, 2005

To be clear, my info above doesn't rule out the possibility that manganese absorbed via the skin has different effects than dietary manganese, but it provides context so that this doesn't turn into a "ban dihydrogen monoxide" sort of thing.
posted by thedevildancedlightly at 4:46 PM on July 8, 2005

What? You mean they've not banned dihydrogen monoxide yet? The fools! What're they thinking?!?
posted by kaemaril at 4:48 PM on July 8, 2005

Elsner and Spangler extrapolated data from rodents to estimate human exposure to manganese during showering.

Amateurs! How did they know that it was the water that was causing the problem, and not some problem related to the little rodent shower caps, loofas or Venus 3 Rat Razors?
posted by onlyconnect at 4:55 PM on July 8, 2005

You'd think that would mean bachelors live longer (not that I've ever taken a day off from showering when not in a relationship, just saying... ;) )
posted by Opposite George at 4:58 PM on July 8, 2005

A few years ago I had just finished taking a shower and I slipped while getting out- the shower had no non-slip pads in it or anything like that. I fell out of the tub and smashed, forehead first, directly into the lid of the toilet tank next to the tub, at an impact so great the lid cracked in half and fell apart.

I swear this is the absolute truth: the instant my head hit the toilet, the first thing I though was "Oh shit. I'm stupid now." A doctor told me I was lucky I didn't hit the soft spot near the temple or else I probably would have lost some motor controls.

There is no debate taking a shower could cause brain damage. I was one of the lucky ones. Watch your step.
posted by XQUZYPHYR at 5:09 PM on July 8, 2005

i live in a town where the rocket fuel content of our public water is known to cause lower IQs. I laugh at this "manganese."
posted by es_de_bah at 5:19 PM on July 8, 2005

From the article: "Because manganese is monitored in public water supplies, high levels of this naturally occurring metal are especially found in wells and private water supplies."

So because I shower in Ohio River water I don't have to worry about that much, compared to the normal stuff like giardia from untreated human waste and whatever chemical waste comes from Pittburgh and Ashland. And don't forget radon!

And XQUZYPHYR, I've had so many head injuries it's a wonder I can still read. But as five_fresh_fish can attest, it ain't affected me none.
posted by davy at 5:49 PM on July 8, 2005

Excellent. I'm a confirmed bath fan so this pleases me greatly. Soaking in the tub is infinitely more civilised than the clinical, comfort-free efficiency of the standing shower. And the large glass of red wine I enjoy whilst bathing counteracts the effects of any manganese in the water. And if it doesn't I'm too pissed to care anyway so what the hell?
posted by Decani at 6:03 PM on July 8, 2005

This must be why the guy at the comic book shop is so smart.
posted by Jart at 6:21 PM on July 8, 2005

this is why i smoke.
posted by brandz at 6:33 PM on July 8, 2005

I attest. Can I get an Amen, brotha!

I think my head injury affected me greatly. Fortunately, it wiped out that part of me that might care I'm affected. All's good in the end that way.
posted by five fresh fish at 7:00 PM on July 8, 2005

"How can we find out which metro water systems have high levels of manganese?" (chaz)

Check your local utility's website, if they have one. I just checked for Austin, Texas and found
this page which says that they tested for Mn and didn't find any.

For those not so fortunate, cold showers should reduce the vapor levels considerably :D
posted by jam_pony at 7:11 PM on July 8, 2005

What about just having a bath?
posted by TwelveTwo at 7:44 PM on July 8, 2005

crap!

but seriously. isn't this getting a tad outta hand?
posted by glenwood at 8:02 PM on July 8, 2005

Excellent. Now I can spend 10 more minutes a day on Metafilter instead of showering, like a sucker.
posted by Arch Stanton at 8:15 PM on July 8, 2005

A new analysis based on animal studies suggests that showering in manganese-contaminated water for a decade or more could have permanent effects on the nervous system.

Not to mention, you would be SO wrinkled up.
posted by BoringPostcards at 9:04 PM on July 8, 2005

hah
posted by trinarian at 11:16 PM on July 8, 2005

maybe this is the lost link between climate and economic development.
posted by tyamada at 8:23 AM on July 9, 2005

Showering could cause brain damage.

really? that stinks!
posted by mcsweetie at 10:01 AM on July 9, 2005

Goddamn it. Between this and the latest revelation that pthalates in plastics such as shampoo bottles and baby toys might cause hormonal birth defects in boys, and the scare last week about giardiasis in NYC water, I can't even wash my damn hair or drink a glass of water without worrying. How many things can a pregnant lady avoid?
posted by emjaybee at 1:36 PM on July 9, 2005

Oh yeah, I knew there was a reason for taking baths instead of showers. Scientific Vindication
posted by Windopaene at 2:40 PM on July 9, 2005

The filthy shall inherit the earth.
posted by deborah at 9:25 AM on July 10, 2005

"Looks like I picked the wrong day to quit showering."

/airplane
posted by Poagao at 12:09 AM on July 11, 2005