PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 Aluminum CAS # 7429-90-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

This Public Health Statement is the summary chapter from the Toxicological Profile for Aluminum. It is 

one in a series of Public Health Statements about hazardous substances and their health effects. A shorter 

version, the ToxFAQsTM, is also available. This information is important because this substance may 

harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you 

are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present. For more information, 

call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-800-232-4636. 

____________________________________________________________________________________ 

This public health statement tells you about aluminum and the effects of exposure to it. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the nation. 

These sites are then placed on the National Priorities List (NPL) and are targeted for long-term federal 

clean-up activities. Aluminum (in some form, e.g., in compounds with other elements such as oxygen, 

sulfur, or phosphorus) has been found at elevated levels in at least 596 of the 1,699 current or former NPL 

sites. Although the total number of NPL sites evaluated for this substance is not known, the possibility 

exists that the number of sites at which aluminum is found may increase in the future as more sites are 

evaluated. This information is important because these sites may be sources of exposure and exposure to 

this substance at high levels may be harmful. 

When a substance is released either from a large area, such as an industrial plant, or from a container, 

such as a drum or bottle, it enters the environment. Such a release does not always lead to exposure. You 

can be exposed to a substance only when you come in contact with it. You may be exposed by breathing, 

eating, or drinking the substance, or by skin contact. However, it should be noted that aluminum is a very 

abundant and widely distributed element and will be found in most rocks, soils, waters, air, and foods. 

You will always have some exposure to low levels of aluminum from eating food, drinking water, and 

breathing air. 

If you are exposed to aluminum, many factors will determine whether you will be harmed. These factors 

include the dose (how much), the duration (how long), and how you come in contact with it. You must 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 Aluminum CAS # 7429-90-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

also consider any other chemicals you are exposed to and your age, sex, diet, family traits, lifestyle, and 

state of health. 

1.1 WHAT IS ALUMINUM? 

Description Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust and it is widely 

distributed. 

Aluminum is a very reactive element and is never found as the free metal in 

nature. It is found combined with other elements, most commonly with 

oxygen, silicon, and fluorine. These chemical compounds are commonly 

found in soil, minerals (e.g., sapphires, rubies, turquoise), rocks (especially 

igneous rocks), and clays. 

Aluminum as the metal is obtained from aluminum-containing minerals, 

primarily bauxite. 

Aluminum metal is light in weight and silvery-white in appearance. 

Uses 

 • Aluminum 

metal 

 • Aluminum 

compounds 

 • Consumer 

products

Aluminum is used to make beverage cans, pots and pans, airplanes, siding 

and roofing, and foil. 

Powdered aluminum metal is often used in explosives and fireworks. 

Aluminum compounds are used in many diverse and important industrial 

applications such as alums (aluminum sulfate) in water-treatment and 

alumina in abrasives and furnace linings. 

Aluminum is found in consumer products including: 

 • antacids 

 • astringents 

 • buffered aspirin 

 • food additives 

 • antiperspirants 

 • cosmetics 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 Aluminum CAS # 7429-90-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

1.2 WHAT HAPPENS TO ALUMINUM WHEN IT ENTERS THE ENVIRONMENT? 

Sources Aluminum occurs naturally in soil, water, and air. 

High levels in the environment can be caused by the mining and processing 

of aluminum ores or the production of aluminum metal, alloys, and 

compounds. 

Small amounts of aluminum are released into the environment from coal-fired 

power plants and incinerators. 

Break down 

 • Air 

 • Water and 

soil

Aluminum cannot be destroyed in the environment. It can only change its 

form or become attached or separated from particles. 

Aluminum particles in air settle to the ground or are washed out of the air by 

rain. However, very small aluminum particles can stay in the air for many 

days. 

Most aluminum-containing compounds do not dissolve to a large extent in 

water unless the water is acidic or very alkaline. 

1.3 HOW MIGHT I BE EXPOSED TO ALUMINUM? 

Food—primary 

source of 

exposure 

Unprocessed foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat contain very little 

aluminum. 

Aluminum compounds may be added during processing of foods, such as: 

• flour 

• baking powder 

• coloring agents 

• anticaking agents 

An average adult in the United States eats about 7–9 mg of aluminum per 

day in their food. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 Aluminum CAS # 7429-90-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

Air Most people take in very little aluminum from breathing. Levels of aluminum 

in the air generally range from 0.005 to 0.18 micrograms per cubic meter 

(μg/m3

), depending on location, weather conditions, and type and level of 

industrial activity in the area. Most of the aluminum in the air is in the form of 

small suspended particles of soil (dust). 

Aluminum levels in urban and industrial areas may be higher and can range 

from 0.4 to 8.0 μg/m3

. 

Water and soil The concentration of aluminum in natural waters (e.g., ponds, lakes, 

streams) is generally below 0.1 milligrams per liter (mg/L). 

People generally consume little aluminum from drinking water. Water is 

sometimes treated with aluminum salts while it is processed to become 

drinking water. But even then, aluminum levels generally do not exceed 

0.1 mg/L. Several cities have reported concentrations as high as 0.4–

1 mg/L of aluminum in their drinking water. 

Consumer 

Products 

People are exposed to aluminum in some cosmetics, antiperspirants, and 

pharmaceuticals such as antacids and buffered aspirin. 

• Antacids have 300–600 mg aluminum hydroxide (approximately 104–

208 mg of aluminum) per tablet, capsule, or 5 milliliter (mL) liquid dose. 

Little of this form of aluminum is taken up into the bloodstream. 

• Buffered aspirin may contain 10–20 mg of aluminum per tablet 

• Vaccines may contain small amounts of aluminum compounds, no 

greater than 0.85 mg/dose. 

1.4 HOW CAN ALUMINUM ENTER AND LEAVE MY BODY? 

Enter your body 

 • Inhalation 

 • Ingestion 

 • Dermal 

contact

A small amount of the aluminum you breathe will enter your body through 

your lungs. 

A very small amount of the aluminum in food or water will enter your body 

through the digestive tract. An extremely small amount of the aluminum 

found in antacids will be absorbed. 

A very small amount may enter through your skin when you come into 

contact with aluminum. 

Leave your body Most aluminum in food, water, and medicines leaves your body quickly in 

the feces. Much of the small amount of aluminum that does enter the 

bloodstream will quickly leave your body in the urine. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 Aluminum CAS # 7429-90-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

1.5 HOW CAN ALUMINUM AFFECT MY HEALTH? 

This section looks at studies concerning potential health effects in animal and human studies. 

Workers 

 • Inhalation 

Workers who breathe large amounts of aluminum dusts can have lung 

problems, such as coughing or changes that show up in chest X-rays. The 

use of breathing masks and controls on the levels of dust in factories have 

largely eliminated this problem. 

Some workers who breathe aluminum-containing dusts or aluminum fumes 

have decreased performance in some tests that measure functions of the 

nervous system. 

Humans 

 • Oral 

Oral exposure to aluminum is usually not harmful. Some studies show that 

people exposed to high levels of aluminum may develop Alzheimer’s 

disease, but other studies have not found this to be true. We do not know 

for certain that aluminum causes Alzheimer’s disease. 

Some people who have kidney disease store a lot of aluminum in their 

bodies. The kidney disease causes less aluminum to be removed from the 

body in the urine. Sometimes, these people developed bone or brain 

diseases that doctors think were caused by the excess aluminum. 

Although aluminum-containing over the counter oral products are 

considered safe in healthy individuals at recommended doses, some 

adverse effects have been observed following long-term use in some 

individuals. 

Laboratory 

animals 

 • Inhalation 

 • Oral 

Lung effects have been observed in animals exposed to aluminum dust. 

Scientists do not know if these effects are due to the aluminum or to the 

animals breathing in a lot of dust. 

Studies in animals show that the nervous system is a sensitive target of 

aluminum toxicity. Obvious signs of damage were not seen in animals after 

high oral doses of aluminum. However, the animals did not perform as well 

in tests that measured the strength of their grip or how much they moved 

around. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 Aluminum CAS # 7429-90-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

1.6 HOW CAN ALUMINUM AFFECT CHILDREN? 

This section discusses potential health effects in humans from exposures during the period from 

conception to maturity at 18 years of age. 

Effects in children Brain and bone disease caused by high levels of aluminum in the body have 

been seen in children with kidney disease. Bone disease has also been 

seen in children taking some medicines containing aluminum. In these 

children, the bone damage is caused by aluminum in the stomach 

preventing the absorption of phosphate, a chemical compound required for 

healthy bones. 

Aluminum is found in breast milk, but only a small amount of this aluminum 

will enter the infant’s body through breastfeeding. Typical aluminum 

concentrations in human breast milk range from 0.0092 to 0.049 mg/L. 

Aluminum is also found in soy-based infant formula (0.46–0.93 mg/L) and 

milk-based infant formula (0.058–0.15 mg/L). 

Birth defects We do not know if aluminum will cause birth defects in people. Birth defects 

have not been seen in animals. 

Very young animals appeared weaker and less active in their cages and 

some movements appeared less coordinated when their mothers were 

exposed to large amounts of aluminum during pregnancy and while nursing. 

In addition, aluminum also affected the animal’s memory. These effects are 

similar to those that have been seen in adults. 

It does not appear that children are more sensitive than adult animals. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 Aluminum CAS # 7429-90-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

1.7 HOW CAN FAMILIES REDUCE THE RISK OF EXPOSURE TO ALUMINUM? 

Food You cannot avoid exposure to aluminum because it is so common and 

widespread in the environment. 

Exposure to the levels of aluminum that are naturally present in food and 

water and the forms of aluminum that are present in dirt and aluminum pots 

and pans are not considered to be harmful. 

Eating large amounts of processed food containing aluminum additives or 

frequently cooking acidic foods in aluminum pots may expose a person to 

higher levels of aluminum than a person who generally consumes 

unprocessed foods and uses pots made of other materials (e.g., stainless 

steel or glass). However, aluminum levels found in processed foods and 

foods cooked in aluminum pots are generally considered to be safe. 

Consumer 

products 

Limiting your intake of large quantities of aluminum-containing antacids and 

buffered aspirin and using these medications only as directed is the best 

way to limit exposure to aluminum from these sources. 

As a precaution, such products should have child-proof caps or should be 

kept out of reach of children so that children will not accidentally ingest them.

1.8 IS THERE A MEDICAL TEST TO DETERMINE WHETHER I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO 

ALUMINUM? 

Detecting 

exposure 

All people have small amounts of aluminum in their bodies. It can be 

measured in the blood, bones, feces, or urine. 

Measuring 

exposure 

Urine and blood aluminum measurements can tell you whether you have 

been exposed to larger-than-normal amounts of aluminum, especially for 

recent amounts. 

Measuring bone aluminum can also indicate exposure to high levels of 

aluminum, but this requires a bone biopsy. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 Aluminum CAS # 7429-90-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

1.9 WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS HAS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MADE TO 

PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH? 

The federal government develops regulations and recommendations to protect public health. Regulations 

can be enforced by law. The EPA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are some federal agencies that develop regulations for toxic 

substances. Recommendations provide valuable guidelines to protect public health, but cannot be 

enforced by law. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the National 

Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are two federal organizations that develop 

recommendations for toxic substances. 

Regulations and recommendations can be expressed as “not-to-exceed” levels, that is, levels of a toxic 

substance in air, water, soil, or food that do not exceed a critical value that is usually based on levels that 

affect animals; they are then adjusted to levels that will help protect humans. Sometimes these not-toexceed levels differ among federal organizations because they used different exposure times (an 8-hour 

workday or a 24-hour day), different animal studies, or other factors. 

Recommendations and regulations are also updated periodically as more information becomes available. 

For the most current information, check with the federal agency or organization that provides it. Some 

regulations and recommendations for aluminum include the following: 

Drinking water The EPA has recommended a Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level 

(SMCL) of 0.05–0.2 mg/L for aluminum in drinking water. The SMCL is not 

based on levels that will affect humans or animals. It is based on taste, 

smell, or color. 

Consumer 

products 

The FDA has determined that aluminum used as food additives and 

medicinals such as antacids are generally safe. 

FDA set a limit for bottled water of 0.2 mg/L. 

Workplace air OSHA set a legal limit of 15 mg/m3

 (total dust) and 5 mg/m3 (respirable 

fraction) aluminum in dusts averaged over an 8-hour work day. 
 PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT 

 Aluminum CAS # 7429-90-5 

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine September 2008

______________________________________________________________________________

DEPARTMENT of HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Public Health Service

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ Telephone: 1-800-232-4636 Fax: 770-488-4178 E-Mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov 

1.10 WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION? 

If you have any more questions or concerns, please contact your community or state health or 

environmental quality department, or contact ATSDR at the address and phone number below. 

ATSDR can also tell you the location of occupational and environmental health clinics. These clinics 

specialize in recognizing, evaluating, and treating illnesses that result from exposure to hazardous 

substances. 

Toxicological profiles are also available on-line at www.atsdr.cdc.gov and on CD-ROM. You may 

request a copy of the ATSDR ToxProfilesTM CD-ROM by calling the toll-free information and technical 

assistance number at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), by e-mail at cdcinfo@cdc.gov, or by writing 

to: 

 Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry 

 Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine 

 1600 Clifton Road NE 

 Mailstop F-32 

 Atlanta, GA 30333 

 Fax: 1-770-488-4178 

Organizations for-profit may request copies of final Toxicological Profiles from the following: 

 National Technical Information Service (NTIS) 

 5285 Port Royal Road 

 Springfield, VA 22161 

 Phone: 1-800-553-6847 or 1-703-605-6000 

 Web site: http://www.ntis.gov/