A study of the leaching of aluminium ions from drink containers

Lacquered aluminium drink cans were filled with deionised water and buffers (pH 1-13) and stored at 20 + 2 degrees C for 60 days. The aluminium content of the solutions contained therein was assayed by atomic absorption spectroscopy at time intervals and the leaching of aluminium from the cans examined. The possible toxicological hazard of the addition of aluminium to the diet from this source is discussed. It is concluded that drinks packaged in aluminium cans do not present a significant risk to people with healthy kidneys.