Health Library

Aluminum Toxicity

(Aluminum Poisoning)

Definition

Aluminum toxicity occurs when a person ingests or breathes high levels of aluminum in the body.

Aluminum is the most plentiful metal in the earth’s crust. It is present in the environment combined with other elements such as oxygen, silicon, and fluorine.

Exposure to aluminum is usually not harmful, but exposure to high levels can cause serious health problems. If you think you have been exposed to high levels of aluminum, contact your doctor.

Causes

Because aluminum is found in food, water, air, and soil, people may be exposed to high levels of aluminum when they:

Drink or ingest substances containing high levels of aluminum
Breath aluminum dust in workplace air
Live in dusty environments
Live where aluminum is mined or processed
Live near certain hazardous waste sites
Live where aluminum is naturally high
Receive vaccinations containing aluminum

Risk Factors

Anyone can develop this condition, but certain people are more likely to develop aluminum toxicity. The following factors increase your chances of developing aluminum toxicity. If you have either of these risk factors, tell your doctor:

Diminished kidney function
Drinking or ingesting substances that are high in aluminum
Living or working in an environment that contains high levels of aluminum

Symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms, do not assume it is because of aluminum toxicity. These symptoms may be caused by other, less serious health conditions. If you experience any one of them, see your physician, especially if you have kidney disease or are on dialysis.

Confusion
Muscle weakness
Bone pain, deformities, and fractures
Seizures
Speech problems
Slow growth—in children

Complications may include:

Lung problems
Nervous system problems causing difficulty with voluntary and involuntary actions
Bone diseases
Brain diseases and disorders
Anemia
Impaired iron absorption

Red Blood Cells

These vital cells transport oxygen through the body. Symptoms of aluminum toxicity such as anemia and impaired iron absorption decrease the number of red blood cells.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

Tests may include the following:

Stool tests
Urine tests
Blood tests
Bone biopsy

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:

The medication, deferoxamine mesylate, may be given to help eliminate aluminum from your body. This substance works through a procedure known as chelation, which helps the body remove poisonous materials.

Your doctor can instruct you on how to avoid exposure to aluminum from your diet and other sources.

Prevention

To help reduce your chances of getting aluminum toxicity, take steps to avoid the following, which may contain aluminum:

Antacids
Antiperspirants

Talk to your doctor about your risk of aluminum poisoning from dialysis, immunizations that contain aluminum, and total parenteral nutrition solutions.

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov

Environmental Protection Agency

http://www.epa.gov

Guide to Less Toxic Products

Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia

http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca

Poison Control Centers for Canada

Association of the Chemical Profession of Ontario

http://www.acpo.on.ca

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Delmez J, Weerts C, Lewis-Finch J, et al. Accelerated removal of deferoxamine mesylate-chelated aluminum by charcoal hyperfusion in hemodialysis patients. Am J Kidney Disease. 1989 Apr;13(4):308-11.

D’Haese PC, Couttenye MM, Goodman WG, Lemoniatou E, et al. Use of the low-dose desferrioxamine test to diagnose and differentiate between patients with aluminum-related bone disease, increased risk for aluminum toxicity, or aluminium overload. Nephrol dial Transplant. 1995;10:1874-84.

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Toxic substances portal: Aluminum. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tf.asp?id=190&tid=34#bookmark08. Updated October 27, 2011. Accessed April 2, 2013.

Last reviewed November 2012 by Igor Puzanov, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.