Guidance

Aluminium: general information

Updated 13 December 2022

Overview

Aluminium is an odourless, lightweight, silvery-white metal and is the third most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust, comprising 8% of the Earth’s surface. It is typically found in soils, minerals and rocks as a compound with oxygen, silicon or fluorine.

Uses of aluminium

Aluminium has a wide range of uses. It is used as a lightweight and strong construction material for buildings, packaging and in containers for food and drinks, foil, vehicle body panels, engine and aircraft components and cooking utensils.

Aluminium is also used in consumer products such as antacids, anti-ulcer drugs, antiperspirants and cosmetics and is present in food as a preservative.

How aluminium gets into the environment

Although aluminium occurs naturally in the environment, higher levels may occur due to mining, refining and processing of aluminium ore and from various industries. Small amounts of aluminium can also be released from coal-burning power stations and incinerators. Nearly all food, water and air contain small amounts of aluminium.

Exposure to aluminium

Due to the widespread use of aluminium and its presence in the environment, very low-level exposure can occur by eating or drinking food and water, breathing air, or from contact with soil. Low-level exposure can also occur from the use of consumer products that contain aluminium.

Occupational exposure may occur from welding or working in factories and warehouses where aluminium is used or aluminium products are produced; safe levels are enforced to protect employees who may be exposed to aluminium at work. Such levels are below those that are thought to cause harmful effects.

How exposure to aluminium can affect your health

Following exposure to any chemical, the adverse health effects you may encounter depend on several factors, including:

• the amount to which you are exposed (dose)
• the way you are exposed
• the duration of exposure
• the form of the chemical
• if you were exposed to any other chemicals

Low-level exposure from the correct use of products that contain aluminium such as cans, cookware, utensils and food wrappings would not be expected to cause adverse health effects.

Ingestion of more substantial amounts may result in gastrointestinal (stomach) upsets, nausea or diarrhoea. Larger ingestions of certain aluminium salts like aluminium ammonium sulphate, aluminium potassium sulphate may result in ulceration of the lips and mouth, rarely haemorrhagic gastritis, circulatory collapse and multi-organ failure.

Inhalation of aluminium containing dust for a short while may cause irritation to throat and nose.

Aluminium and cancer

Little information is available regarding whether aluminium causes cancer in humans. Data from animal studies suggests it does not cause cancer in animals.

Pregnancy and the unborn child

There is some limited evidence from animal studies that suggests that developing infants may be more susceptible to the nervous system effects of aluminium. Low-level exposure to aluminium in the environment and exposure from the correct use of products that contain aluminium would not be expected to cause harm to a pregnancy or the unborn child.

Vulnerable people

Aluminium is mainly removed from the body by the kidneys, therefore individuals with reduced kidney function may be more vulnerable to the effects of exposure to high levels of aluminium, as it could build up in the body.

Children

There is some limited evidence from animal studies that suggests that young children may be more susceptible to the nervous system effects of aluminium. Low-level exposure to aluminium in the environment and exposure from the correct use of products that contain aluminium would not be expected to cause harm to young children.

What to do if you are exposed to aluminium

Low-level exposure from the correct use of products that contain aluminium would not be expected to cause adverse health effects.

For all other exposures to aluminium, you should remove yourself from the source of exposure.

If you have got aluminium on your skin:

• remove soiled clothing
• wash the affected area with lukewarm water and soap for at least 10 to 15 minutes
• seek medical advice

If you have got aluminium in your eyes:

• remove contact lenses, if necessary
• wash the affected area with lukewarm water for at least 10 to 15 minutes
• seek medical advice

If you have inhaled or ingested aluminium seek medical advice.

Additional sources of information

NHS.UK has more information about poisoning.

The Committee on Toxicity (COT) publishes a lay summary on the potential risks from aluminium in the diet of infants and young children.

The information contained in this document from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Radiation, Chemicals and Environment Directorate is correct at the time of its publication.

If you have any questions about this guidance, email chemcompendium@phe.gov.uk or enquiries@ukhsa.gov.uk