Aluminium uptake and excretion in potroom workers of a new primary aluminium smelter during the construction stagePresented at ENVIROMIN 2001 at Skukuza, Kruger National Park, South Africa, 14–18 July, 2001.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to define bio-accumulation and excretion patterns of aluminium in newly employed potroom workers as well as changes in ambient aluminium levels in the potrooms of a modern aluminium smelter during the plant construction stage and one year into full production. A study was carried out on 115 newly employed volunteer potroom workers at various intervals, over a total period of 36 months. Before commencement of employment a structured questionnaire was completed by all study participants and the first collection of blood and urine specimens took place. As none of the subjects had ever worked in the aluminium industry before, they also served as their own controls. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to measure the aluminium content in the biological fluids and the content of the metal in the ambient air of the potrooms. Significantly, the study found an early and marked biological response to inhalation of very low levels of airborne aluminium. After only 12 months, the mean concentration of aluminium in serum had almost doubled; thereafter it levelled off. A mixed model analysis did not find any differences in the concentrations of aluminium in the serum of the subjects since the variation between subjects at any given time was much smaller than the variation within subjects. This may be an indication of the pronounced effect of aluminium inhalation on the kinetics of this metal in the human body. Furthermore, urinary excretion of aluminium by the potroom workers showed a linear increase reaching a concentration of only 49 microg l(-1) at the 36 month stage, suggesting a slow rate of elimination.

Assessment of occupational exposure to welding fumes by inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectroscopy and by the alkaline Comet assay

“…These observations, at least in part, may be related to the different rates of metal elimination in man. Al [Rollin et al, 2001], Cd [Lauwerys et al, 1994], Co [Mosconi et al, 1994], Cr [Petersen et al, 2000], and Pb [Hryhorczuk et al, 1985] are slowly eliminated from blood. In contrast, Mn [Lu et al, 2005], Ni [Patriarca and Lyon, 1997] and Zn [McLean and Speakman Jr, 1995] are eliminated more rapidly.…”

Longitudinal study on potential neurotoxic effects of aluminium: I. Assessment of exposure and neurobehavioural performance of Al welders in the train and truck construction industry over 4 years

“…The relative contribution of biological and behavioural factors to the long-term stability is unclear. Slow biological processes of Al uptake and elimination are certainly involved (Letzel et al 1999;Röllin et al 2001;Sjögren et al 1988). However, to what degree biological features of the workers (accumulation, elimination), individual behaviour when welding (breath protection), or job differences contribute to the stable interindividual differences cannot be answered.…”

Longitudinal study on potential neurotoxic effects of aluminium: II. Assessment of exposure and neurobehavioral performance of Al welders in the automobile industry over 4 years

“…Clearly, in the T-study with higher exposure all biomonitoring measures showed stronger long-term stability over the 4 years, corresponding to the assumption of slow biological processes of Al uptake and elimination (Letzel et al 1999;Röllin et al 2001;Sjögren et al 1988).…”