Aluminum in the Environment and Human Health

Abstract

The review of over 800 references on aluminum (Al) published since the mid-fifties covers the occurrence of Al in soil, air, water, plants and food products, as well as air and water pollution problems. In addition, the existing quality criteria, the biology and toxicology of Al, and the therapeutic and medical uses are presented. It is concluded that absorption and retention or accumulation of Al in humans occurs at lower levels of intake than had been assumed formerly. However, levels of 5 to 50 times the normal daily intake do not appear to interfere with other metabolic processes. The adverse effects of Al reported in the more recent years resulted from the inhalation or ingestion of Al in concentrations many times greater than the amounts present under normal circumstances. As in the past, there is still no need for concern by the public or producers of Al or its products concerning hazards to human health derived from well established and extensively used products.

Systematic review of potential health risks posed by pharmaceutical, occupational and consumer exposures to metallic and nanoscale aluminum, aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxide and its soluble salts

“…These results support previous conclusions that there is little evidence that exposure to metallic Al, the Al oxides or its salts increases risk for AD, genetic damage or cancer (Krewski et al 2007). The present review also found that the notion that Al dose can be accounted for, measured by, and the data interpreted as ‘total Al’ (e.g., Sorenson et al 1974), as contrast to chemical-specific analyses (BASF 2011, Rödelsperger et al 1987), can lead to possibly inappropriate conclusions regarding Al health risks.…”

“…Krewski et al (2007) summarized exposure and toxicity data for approximately 100 different Al forms and found that health risks to humans related to excessive Al exposure include: Osteomalacia and microcytic anemia after exposure from dialysate and/or gastric antacids or Al phosphate binders in people with compromised kidney function;Encephalopathy/dementia after exposure from dialysate and/or Al phosphate binders in patients with impaired renal function;Contact allergy and local irritation/adverse reations to vaccines with Al adjuvants;Pneumoconiosis after long-term inhalation of Al dusts or powders.Krewski et al (2007), like Sorenson et al (1974), observed that most healthy adults tolerate comparatively large repeated daily oral Al exposures (up to 3500–7200 mg/day from antacids and buffered aspirin) without any adverse effect, but that other people (notably pre-term infants, young children, and those with reduced kidney function) can be at serious risk for systemic Al intoxication even at much lower daily doses. Because Al gastrointestinal uptake varies from essentially non-detectable for hydrated Al silicates (Afriyie-Gyawu et al 2005, Wiles et al 2004), to 0.1–0.3% for sodium Al phosphates in foods, to 0.2% for AlCl 3 to much higher values (> 2.0%) after ingestion of organic Al (EFSA 2011, Krewski et al 2007), exposures expressed as “total Al” are problematic for human health risk assessments.…”

CHEF-Affected Fluorogenic Nanomolar Detection of Al3+ by an Anthranilic Acid–Naphthalene Hybrid: Cell Imaging and Crystal Structure

“…3 Being a good conductor of electricity, it is used for the manufacture of electric wires, and various electrical and electronic appliances. 4−6 This widespread use of aluminum results in its slow consumption in the human body in its tripositive form, resulting in many toxic effects, such as kidney damage, 7 Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, and even cancer. 8−14 Aluminum affects the absorption of calcium in bowel causing softening of the bone and can also cause anemia by hindering the absorption of iron in blood.…”

Long-term effects of aluminium dust inhalation

“…In the middle part of the 20th century, it was believed that inhaled aluminium compounds coated the silica particles in the lungs and inhibited the silica-induced fibrotic reactions and as such worked as a prophylaxis for silicosis 1. Silicosis is a form of pneumoconiosis due to inhalation of respirable silica.…”