Aluminium sulphate

Additional information on environmental fate and behaviour

Administrative data

Endpoint:

additional information on environmental fate and behaviour

Type of information:

other: handbook data

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: handbook with reliable values

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

review article or handbook

Title:

Health effects of alumimium in water

Author:

Lenntech organization

Year:

1993

Bibliographic source:

http://www.lenntech.com/periodic/water/aluminium/aluminum-and-water.htm

Materials and methods

Test guideline

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

GLP compliance:

not specified

Type of study / information:

health effects of aluminium in water

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Aluminium

EC Number:

231-072-3

EC Name:

Aluminium

Cas Number:

7429-90-5

IUPAC Name:

aluminum

Test material form:

solid: compact

Results and discussion

Any other information on results incl. tables

The total aluminum concentration in the human body is approximately 9 ppm (dry mass). In some organs, specifically the spleen, kidneys and lung, concentrations up to 100 ppm (dry mass) may be present. Daily aluminum intake is approximately 5 mg, of which only a small fraction is absorbed. This leads to relatively low acute toxicity. Absorption is about 10 μg per day. These amounts are considered harmless to humans. Siliconmay decrease aluminum uptake. However, once the element is taken up in the body it is not easily removed.
Large aluminum intake may negatively influence health. This was connected with nerve damage. Particularly people with kidney damage are susceptible to aluminum toxicity. There is a risk of allergies. Aluminum is probably mutagenic and carcinogenic. A correlation between aluminum uptake and an increased number of Alzheimer cases is suspected. However, this is uncertain because aluminum concentrations always increase with age. Increased aluminum intake may also cause osteomalacia (vitamin D and calcium deficits).
Aluminum intake mainly occurs through food and drinking water. The most recent standards were between 50 and 200 μg/L. Aluminum particles may cause functional lung disorder.
No known diseases are linked to aluminum shortages.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

The total aluminum concentration in the human body is approximately 9 ppm (dry mass). In some organs, specifically the spleen, kidneys and lung, concentrations up to 100 ppm (dry mass) may be present. Daily aluminum intake is approximately 5 mg, of which only a small fraction is absorbed.
Aluminum intake mainly occurs through food and drinking water. The most recent standards were between 50 and 200 μg/L.
Aluminum particles may cause functional lung disorder.No known diseases are linked to aluminum shortages.