Five Crucial Characteristics of an Expert Witness Consultant in Manganese Neurotoxicity

1. Familiarity with the fact that Mn toxicity may occur in occupational settings such as mining, welding and steel cutting or in environmental settings where inhalation, ingestion or possibly dermal exposures may exist via ground water or local pollution.
2. Experience with the clinical presentations of Mn toxicity that may range from mild to severe pulmonary and or neurological dysfunction
3. Understanding that Manganese blood, urine and hair may be useful to determine recent exposure.
4. Awareness that neurological examinations, neurophysiological testing and neuropsychological testing have uncovered abnormalities from Mn neurotoxicity in those exposed.
5. Understanding about how to formulate a differential diagnosis, determine causation by considering chronology; past medical, occupational, family and social history; other explanations for a medical presentation, and how confirmatory examination, neurophysiological and neuropsychological testing may be used in this process.About the Author:  Jonathan S Rutchik, MD, MPH, FACOEM is an Occupational and Environmental Neurologist.  He is board certified in both Neurology and Occupational and Environmental Medicine and fellowship trained in Clinical Neurotoxicology.

   Dr Rutchik is an Associate Clinical Professor at University of California at San Francisco.

   He provides clinical evaluations and treatment, including electromyography, of individuals and populations with suspected neurological illness secondary to workplace injuries or chemical exposure; solvents, metals, gases, mold and pesticides.  Dr. Rutchik is also a California Qualified and Agreed Medical Examiner and is licensed in CA, NY, MA, NM and ID.  For more information view his website: www.neoma.com; Email: jsrutch@neoma.com or Call: (415) 381-3133.