Aluminum is the most plentiful metal in the earth’s crust. It is present in the environment combined with other elements such as oxygen, silicon, and fluorine.

Exposure to aluminum is usually not harmful, but exposure to high levels can cause serious health problems. If you think you have been exposed to high levels of aluminum, contact your doctor.

Causes

Because aluminum is found in food, water, air, and soil, people may be exposed to high levels of aluminum when they:

Drink or ingest substances containing high levels of aluminum
Breath aluminum dust in workplace air
Live where aluminum is mined or processed
Live near certain hazardous waste sites
Live where aluminum is naturally high

Risk Factors

Anyone can develop this condition, but certain people are more likely to develop aluminum toxicity. The following factors increase your chances of developing aluminum toxicity:

Diminished kidney function
Hemodialysis
Drinking or ingesting substances that are high in aluminum
Living or working in an environment that contains high levels of aluminum
Receiving long-term IV nutrition
Living in dusty environments

Symptoms

If you have any of the following symptoms, see your doctor, especially if you have kidney disease or are on dialysis:

Confusion
Muscle weakness
Bone pain, deformities, and fractures
Seizures
Speech problems
Slow growth—in children

Complications may include:

Lung problems
Nervous system problems causing difficulty with voluntary and involuntary actions
Bone diseases
Brain diseases and disorders
Anemia
Impaired iron absorption

Red Blood Cells

These vital cells transport oxygen through the body. Symptoms of aluminum toxicity such as anemia and impaired iron absorption decrease the number of red blood cells.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. A physical exam will be done. Tests may include:

Bone biopsy
Blood tests
Urine tests
Stool tests

Symptoms and blood tests will suggest aluminum toxicity. Aluminum in the bone marrow will confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:

Medications

The medication, deferoxamine mesylate, may be given to help eliminate aluminum from your body. This substance works through a procedure known as chelation, which helps the body remove poisonous materials.

Aluminum Avoidance

You will be instructed on how to avoid exposure to excess aluminum from your diet and other sources.

Prevention

To help reduce your chances of getting aluminum toxicity, take steps to avoid the following if they contain aluminum:

Antacids
Antiperspirants

Talk to your doctor about your risk of aluminum poisoning from dialysis and total parenteral nutrition solutions.

RESOURCES:

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov

Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Association of the Chemical Profession of Ontario
http://www.acpo.on.ca

Guide to Less Toxic Products
http://www.lesstoxicguide.ca

References:

Bia MJ, Cooper K, Schnall S, et al. Aluminum induced anemia: pathogenesis and treatment in patients on chronic dialysis. Kidney Int. 1989;36(5):852-858.

Cannata Andia JB. Aluminum toxicity: its relationship with bone and iron metabolism. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 1996;11 Suppl 3:69-73.

Delmez J, Weerts C, Lewis-Finch J, Windus D, Slatopolsky E. Accelerated removal of deferoxamine mesylate-chelated aluminum by charcoal hyperfusion in hemodialysis patients. Am J Kidney Dis. 198;13(4):308-311.

D’Haese PC, Couttenye MM, Goodman WG, et al. Use of the low-dose desferrioxamine test to diagnose and differentiate between patients with aluminum-related bone disease, increased risk for aluminum toxicity, or aluminium overload. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 1995;10:1874-1884.

Kawahara M. Effects of aluminum on the nervous system and its possible link with neurodegenerative diseases. J Alzheimers Dis. 2005;8(2):171-182.

Krewski D, Yokei RA, Nieboer E et al: Human health risk assessment for aluminium, aluminium oxide, and aluminium hydroxide. J Toxicol Environ Health B Crit Rev. 2007:10 supl 1: 1-269.

Malluche HH. Aluminum and bone disease in chronic renal failure. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2002;17 Suppl 2:21-24.

Molloy DW, Standish TI, Nieboer E et al: Effects of acute exposure to aluminum on cognition in humans. J Toxicol Environ Health A 2007:70(23):2011-2019.

Toxic substances portal: Aluminum. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
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Accessed March 29, 2020.

Last reviewed March 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board James Cornell, MD
Last Updated: 8/14/2020

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