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Related Experiment Videos

Aluminum in the lung: the pyropowder conundrum.

B D Dinman1

  • 1Aluminum Company of America, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Journal of Occupational Medicine. : Official Publication of the Industrial Medical Association
|November 1, 1987
PubMed
Summary

Pulmonary aluminosis, a lung disease linked to aluminum pyrotechnic flake, occurred when non-polar oil lubricants were used. Polar lubricants prevented this industrial lung disease.

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Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Toxicology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Pulmonary aluminosis is a rare lung disease.
  • Historical cases occurred in Germany and the UK.
  • Exposure was linked to submicron-sized aluminum pyrotechnic flake.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cause of pulmonary aluminosis.
  • To identify the role of lubricants in aluminum pyrotechnic flake manufacturing.
  • To understand the mechanism of tissue damage.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of historical case data.
  • Comparison of lubricant types used in aluminum flake production.
  • Hypothesizing the chemical and physical interactions of lubricants with aluminum.

Main Results:

  • Cases of pulmonary aluminosis were associated with non-polar aliphatic oil lubricants.
  • These lubricants physically coated aluminum flakes, preventing oxidation.
  • Removal of the non-polar lubricant exposed elemental aluminum, leading to exothermic reactions and tissue damage.
  • Polar lubricants, like stearic acid, formed aluminum stearate, preventing oxidation and associated disease.

Conclusions:

  • The use of non-polar aliphatic oil lubricants in manufacturing submicron aluminum pyrotechnic flake is directly linked to pulmonary aluminosis.
  • The mechanism involves the removal of the lubricant, exposing reactive aluminum and causing exothermic tissue damage.
  • Polar lubricants prevent this reaction and the subsequent lung disease.

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