People who are exposed to high levels of aluminum in air may have respiratory problems including coughing and asthma from breathing dust. Some studies with high levels in mice and rabbits show that aluminum may harm young animals more because it can cause delays in skeletal and neurologic development. Aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer's disease because those patients have high levels of aluminum in their brains. We do not know whether aluminum causes the disease or whether the buildup of aluminum happens to people who already have the disease. Infants and adults who received large doses of aluminum as a treatment for another problem developed bone diseases, which suggests that aluminum may cause skeletal problems.
Some sensitive people develop skin rashes from using aluminum chlorohydrate deodorants.
There is no evidence that aluminum affects reproduction in people or animals. The Department of Health and Human Services has not classified aluminum for carcinogenicity. The available information has not shown that aluminum is a potential carcinogen. There are tests to measure aluminum in blood, urine, and feces. The amount in your urine can tell you whether you have been exposed to higher than normal levels of aluminum.