The Effects of Aluminum Exposure

updated 05/22/2008

What is Aluminum?

Aluminum is a bluish or silvery white chemical element from the boron group. It is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust, making up 8% of its solid surface. It is the third most abundant element overall, after silicon and oxygen.

How am I Exposed to Aluminum?

Aluminum is found virtually in all food, air, soil and water. It can enter the human body by intravenous infusions, by mouth and by environment.

Aluminum is the most widely utilized non-ferrous metal. In 2005, the global production of aluminum was 32 million tons, exceeding the production of any other metal except iron. Aluminum metals are present in many industries, including:

People may be exposed to high levels of aluminum when they eat foods or drink fluids containing high levels of aluminum. As such, aluminum content in all food preparations and other products prone to oral aluminum exposure should provide information about the product's aluminum content. In drinking water, aluminum should always be less than 50 µg L-1.

People may also be exposed to high levels of aluminum from:

While aluminum is not a heavy metal, environmental exposure to aluminum is frequent. Acute exposure more likely occurs in the workplace. Chronic exposure may also occur in the workplace with an accumulated exposure to low levels of aluminum dust or handling of aluminum-based products over many years.

What are the Symptoms of Aluminum Exposure?

Exposure to aluminum is not usually harmful nor is it inherently toxic, but high levels of aluminum could cause serious health problems. In addition, people with diminished kidney function and older people, who were exposed to high levels of aluminum from the air or have stored high levels of aluminum in their bodies, are more likely to develop aluminum toxicity.

People who work around extremely high levels of aluminum can become ill, especially if the element is inhaled on a daily basis. Children with kidney problems appear to be susceptible to aluminum toxicity.

Aluminum exposure could also cause skeletal and neuromuscular problems, although the exact danger threshold remains unknown. Some studies have shown that people could experience contact dermatitis when handling aluminum products like antacids, antiperspirants and pots.

Since aluminum is present in food and water supply, most people suffer from some degree of aluminum toxicity. Years of accumulated exposure and aluminum storage in the body, aluminum can become poisonous and have a range of health effects from skeletal deformities to brain degeneration. Some of the dangers are:

Aluminum is particularly dangerous to the nervous system, with symptoms including:

High levels of aluminum in the body can hinder the body's ability to digest and use up fluoride, phosphorus and calcium, which in turn, prevents bone growth and reduces bone density. In addition, high amounts of aluminum in the body forces calcium out of bones, which results in weakness, bone deformation and crippling effects.

However, if you experience any of these symptoms, do not assume it is aluminum toxicity since these symptoms could also be caused by other health conditions.

How do I Test Myself for Aluminum Exposure?

The Aluminum Testing Kit

Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history and symptoms before performing a physical exam. Testing procedures measure aluminum levels in hair, fingernails, feces, blood and urine.

Using the Aluminum Heavy Metals Test Kit offered by Dr. Group will measure your body levels. Once the test is complete and you have determined that your levels are too high, you can perform Dr. Group's Chemical & Heavy Metals Cleanse to rid your body of this dangerous metal.

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