Marietta College will host the data collection portion of the $2.6 million study, which is being spearheaded by environmental health researcher Dr. Erin Haynes from the University of Cincinnati.

This fall, researchers working at Marietta College's Center for Families and Children will collect hair and blood samples as well as shed teeth to measure the amount of manganese that is present in their bodies. The 200 participating children will also be given cognitive tests and their parents will be interviewed.

Parents who are interested in having their children tested should contact Dr. Mary Barnas at 376-4766.