Biomedical aspects of aluminium

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Environmental Health
• Occupational Medicine

Background:

• Aluminium was historically considered non-toxic.
• Neurological syndromes linked to aluminium intoxication were identified in dialysis patients in the 1970s.
• A potential role for aluminium in Alzheimer's disease was proposed but lacks broad support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the toxicological profile of aluminium.
• To assess the risks of aluminium exposure in occupational settings versus dialysis patients.
• To evaluate the evidence for aluminium's role in neurological and pulmonary conditions.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of aluminium absorption, distribution, and excretion.
• Analysis of aluminium blood concentrations in non-exposed individuals, dialysis patients, and occupationally exposed workers.
• Examination of reported cases of aluminium-related neurological and pulmonary diseases.

Main Results:

• Minimal gastrointestinal absorption (0.1%) and renal excretion of aluminium.
• Low blood aluminium levels (1-3 µg/L) in healthy individuals.
• Dialysis patient aluminium intoxication is preventable by limiting dialysis solution concentration (<10 µg/L).
• Occupational exposure resulted in plasma aluminium levels significantly lower than those in symptomatic dialysis patients.
• Rare instances of occupational pulmonary fibrosis possibly linked to aluminium, though alumina in production is not fibrogenic.

Conclusions:

• Aluminium toxicity is primarily a concern for patients with impaired renal function, particularly those on dialysis.
• Occupational exposure to aluminium does not typically lead to systemic intoxication.
• While rare pulmonary effects are reported, the fibrogenic potential of industrial alumina is negligible.