Aluminium sulphate

Monitoring data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

monitoring data

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

key study

Reliability:

1 (reliable without restriction)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Reliable without restrictions. Guideline study.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

review article or handbook

Title:

PRIORITY SUBSTANCES LIST ASSESSMENT REPORT of Aluminium chloride, nitrate and sulphate,

Author:

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999

Year:

2008

Bibliographic source:

Environment Canada Health Canada, p. 27 2008

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

according to guideline

Guideline:

other: Analysis and Air Quality, Environment Canada. Ottawa. Dann T. 2007.

GLP compliance:

not specified

Type of measurement:

natural background concentration

Media:

air

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Aluminium sulphate

EC Number:

233-135-0

EC Name:

Aluminium sulphate

Cas Number:

10043-01-3

Molecular formula:

Al.3/2H2O4S; General formula Al2(OH)x(SO4)(3-x/2), with x=0 and x=3 and x ranging from 0 to 3.

IUPAC Name:

Aluminium sulphate

Details on test material:

- Name of test material (as cited in study report):aluminium sulfate

Study design

Details on sampling:

Ambient air at more than 40 Canadian sites, primarily in urban areas, was sampled over a period of ten years (1996–2006). More than 10,000 samples were measured at different sites throughout Canada, although the number varied from year to year. In 2006, only 25 sites were measured, resulting in 1,400 samples, 96% of which had levels greater than the detection limit (approximately 0.001 μg/m3).
Total aluminum concentrations measured in individual samples of PM10 (i.e., particulate matter smaller than 10 μm in diameter) ranged from the detection limit to 24.94 μg/m3, with the lowest concentration being measured in Saint John, New Brunswick and the highest in Vancouver, British Columbia (Dann 2007).

Results and discussion

Concentration

Concentration 1

Country:

Canada

Location:

40 Canadian sites, primarily in urban areas,

Substance or metabolite:

substance

Remarks:

PM10 (i.e., particulate matter smaller than 10 μm in diameter)

Conc.:

0.17 µg/L

Remarks on result:

other: On the basis of these measurements from across Canada, the estimated provincial/territorial mean aluminum concentration in PM10 is 0.17 μg/m3. This value was used for the purpose of assessing exposure of the Canadian population to aluminum in ambient air

Concentration 2

Country:

Canada

Location:

40 Canadian sites, primarily in urban areas,

Substance or metabolite:

substance

Remarks:

PM2.5 particles (i.e., smaller than 2.5 μm in diameter).

Conc.:

0.069 µg/L

Details on results:

Estimated mean aluminum concentrations measured in ambient air for all sampling sites by province for the ten-year period. On the basis of these measurements from across Canada, the estimated provincial/territorial mean aluminum concentration in PM10 is 0.17 μg/m3. This value was used for the purpose of assessing exposure of the Canadian population to aluminum in ambient air.

For most of the Canadian sites where PM10 measurements were carried out, data were also available for PM2.5 particles (i.e., smaller than 2.5 μm in diameter). Close to 20,000 measurements were available from 1998 to 2006, 77% of which had levels greater than the detection limit. Using all available data, the mean aluminum concentration in PM2.5 in Canada is approximately 0.069 μg/m3, with a maximum aluminum concentration of 9.24 μg/m3 measured in Vancouver, British Columbia (Dann 2007).

Any other information on results incl. tables

 Indoor air

Few data on aluminum concentrations in indoor air in residential dwellings were identified for Canada. Studies in the U.S. did provide data on aluminum in indoor air. These findings are summarized below.

In 1990, a Particle Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (PTEAM) study was conducted in Riverside, California, in which samples were collected from 178 non-smokers over ten years of age. In addition to the personal sampling (portable sampler), stationary samplers were set up inside the residential dwellings and outside near the entrance door.

 

Airborne particle (PM10 and PM2.5) samples were collected for two 12-hour periods (nighttime and daytime), and more than 2,900 samples were analyzed (Clayton et al. 1993; Thomas et al. 1993). In this study, the aluminum concentrations exceeded the reporting limit of 0.5 μg/m3in more than half of the personal PM10samples taken during the two periods. In the case of PM2.5, only 20% of the measurements exceeded the reporting limit. Estimated daytime median concentrations of aluminum for the PM10indoor, outdoor and personal exposure monitors were 1.9, 2.5 and 3.4 μg/m3, respectively; the corresponding nighttime median concentrations were 0.99, 1.7 and 1.0 μg/m3. Based on the average daytime and nighttime concentrations of aluminum in PM10particles, the estimated mean concentration of aluminum in indoor air was about 1.49 μg/m3.

For the purpose of assessing exposure for the general Canadian population, this estimated mean concentration of aluminum in PM10particles of 1.49 μg/m3was considered to represent the typical indoor air concentration of aluminum in Canada. As in the case of ambient air, the three aluminum salts—chloride, nitrate and sulphate—are unlikely to have contributed significantly to total aluminum concentrations measured in indoor air.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

The estimated provincial/territorial mean aluminum concentration in PM10 is 0.17 μg/m3. This value was used for the purpose of assessing exposure of the Canadian population to aluminum in ambient air.