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.

Aluminum Toxicity

(Aluminum Poisoning)
by Krisha McCoy, MS
Definition

Aluminum toxicity occurs when a person breathes in high levels of aluminum from the air, or stores high levels of aluminum in the body.

Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust, and is present in the environment combined with other elements (eg, oxygen, silicon, fluorine). Exposure to aluminum is usually not harmful, but exposure to high levels can cause serious health problems. If you suspect you have been exposed to high levels of aluminum, contact your doctor.

Causes

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

  • Breath aluminum dust in workplace air
  • Eat foods containing high levels of aluminum
  • Live in dusty environments
  • Live near certain hazardous waste sites
  • Live where aluminum is mined or processed
  • 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:

  • Age: older people
  • Diminished kidney function
Symptoms

If you experience 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 .

  • Premature osteoporosis
  • Spinal deformities: scoliosis or kyphosis
  • Altered mental status
  • Anemia
  • Bone pain
  • Delayed growth in children
  • Dementia
  • Fractures that do not heal, especially in ribs and pelvis
  • Impaired immunity
  • Impaired iron absorption
  • Muscle weakness
  • Seizures

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.

Tests may include the following:

  • Blood test for anemia
  • Bone biopsy to measure aluminum levels
  • Deferoxamine infusion test
  • X-ray of long bones
Treatment

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

Medications

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

Aluminum Avoidance

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
  • Dialysate (the solution of chemicals used in dialysis)
  • Immunizations
  • TPN (total parenteral nutrition) solutions

Last reviewed: September 2011 by Lawrence Frisch, MD, MPH.

RESOURCES:
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
References:
  • 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.
  • Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Internal Medicine . 23rd ed. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2008.
  • Kawahara M. Effects of aluminum on the nervous system and its possible link with neurodegenerative diseases. J Alzheimers Dis . 2005;8:171-82.
  • Krewski D, Yokei RA, Nieboer E et al: Human health risk assessment for aluminium, aluminium oxide, and aluminium hydroxide. J Toxicol Environ Health b Crit Rev . 2007:10 supl 1: 1-269
  • Malluche HH. Aluminum and bone disease in chronic renal failure. Nephrol dial Transplant . 2002; 17:21-24.
  • Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine .7th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby, Inc.; 2009.
  • Molloy DW, Standish TI, Nieboer E et al: Effects of acute exposure to aluminum on cognition in humans. J Toxicol Environ Health . A 2007: 70:2011-9
  • Tox FAQs for aluminum. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry website. Available at: http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts22.html . Accessed October 24, 2006.