Avoid Overexposure to Aluminum

Friday, October 01, 2010 by: Cindy Jones-Shoeman
Tags: aluminum, toxicity, health news

(NewsTarget) Recently, many people have become aware of the dangers of aluminum. It is likely that simply being around aluminum won't cause any damage to a person, but ingesting aluminum or absorbing it through the skin is possibly dangerous. Even though aluminum exposure is unavoidable, people can avoid additional, and unnecessary, exposure.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services states that no one can completely avoid aluminum exposure because it is found in nature and the environment (in soil and water, for example); aluminum is, in fact, the "most abundant metal in the earth's crust." However, high levels of exposure can affect a person's health.

According to the Global Healing Center, high exposure to aluminum can cause problems with kidneys, muscles, bones, and the digestive system, among other problems. While it hasn't been proven, many researchers believe there is also a link between high concentrations of aluminum in the brain and Alzheimer's disease.

How Can People Avoid Overexposure to Aluminum?

Even though aluminum exposure is unavoidable, people can avoid additional, and unnecessary, exposure. There are ways that people can limit their exposure, including the following:

Beverages: Aluminum cans hold carbonated soft drinks and teas, and while cans are coated in a protective polymer, a dented or damaged can can cause the aluminum to leach into the drink. Aluminum water bottles are the same in that they must be coated, and if the coating is damaged, there is danger of the aluminum leaching into the water. Many people opt for stainless steel water bottles for that reason and avoid aluminum-can beverages altogether.

Food: Exposure through how people prepare food and what they eat can be diminished as well. It's best to avoid aluminum cookware and opt for cast iron, glass, or copper cookware instead. And many people prefer to use wax paper instead of aluminum foil for the same reason.

But people are also exposed to aluminum through their foods. For example, many baking powders are made with aluminum (like sodium aluminum sulfate), so many people choose to buy baking powder that is aluminum free.

Health and Hygiene Products: Most people who avoid aluminum overexposure today know, as has been reported on Natural News, that aluminum is used in the manufacture of many antiperspirant/deodorant products. However, discerning consumers can find good deodorant products that are aluminum free.

Antacids and some buffered pain relievers are also commonly made with aluminum products.

While it is impossible for people to avoid exposure to aluminum, it is possible to limit the amount of aluminum they are exposed to, whether it is by ingesting it or absorbing it through the skin. The list here covers some of the ways people can limit their exposure to this ubiquitous metal.

Sources:
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts22.html
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/aluminum-...
http://alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/docume...
http://viewzone2.com/alzheimersx.html
http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneo...
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/dangers-o...
https://www.naturalnews.com/027624_deodorant_...

About the author

Cindy Jones-Shoeman is the author of Last Sunset and a Feature Writer for Academic Writing at Suite101.
Some of Cindy's interests include environmental issues, vegetarian and sustainable lifestyles, music, and reading.