Aluminum Levels Research Articles

Aluminium and fluoride in drinking water in relation to later dementia risk.

Environmental risk factors for dementia are poorly understood. Aluminium and fluorine in drinking water have been linked with dementia but uncertainties remain about this relationship. In the largest longitudinal study in this context, we set out to explore the individual effect of aluminium and fluoride in drinking water on dementia risk and, as fluorine can increase absorption of aluminium, we also examine any synergistic influence on dementia. We used Cox models to investigate the association between mean aluminium and fluoride levels in drinking water at their residential location (collected 2005-2012 by the Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland) with dementia in members of the Scottish Mental Survey 1932 cohort who were alive in 2005. A total of 1972 out of 6990 individuals developed dementia by the linkage date in 2012. Dementia risk was raised with increasing mean aluminium levels in women (hazard ratio per s.d. increase 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.15, P < 0.001) and men (1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.21, P = 0.004). A dose-response pattern of association was observed between mean fluoride levels and dementia in women (1.34, 95% CI 1.28-1.41, P < 0.001) and men (1.30, 95% CI 1.22-1.39, P < 0.001), with dementia risk more than doubled in the highest quartile compared with the lowest. There was no statistical interaction between aluminium and fluoride levels in relation with dementia. Higher levels of aluminium and fluoride were related to dementia risk in a population of men and women who consumed relatively low drinking-water levels of both.

Aluminium release by coated and uncoated fluid-warming devices.

The use of fluid-warming systems is recommended for infusion rates >500ml.h-1 to avoid peri-operative hypothermia. Some fluid-warming devices use disposable aluminium-heated plates for heat transfer, but there is no protective coating to separate the fluid from the heated aluminium surface. It is unknown if this could promote release of aluminium into infusion fluids. We investigated a coated (Fluido compact) and an uncoated (enFlow) fluid-warming device using normal saline or balanced electrolyte solution as infusion fluids, pumped through the heated disposables at flow rates of 2, 4 and 8ml.min-1 for 60min each. Aluminium concentrations in the fluid samples were analysed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. With saline the coated and uncoated devices yielded aluminium concentrations below the level of quantification (<128μg.l-1 ). Similarly, balanced electrolyte solution in the coated device yielded aluminium concentrations <128μg.l-1 . However, balanced electrolyte solution in the uncoated device yielded aluminium concentrations of up to 6794 (3465-8002 [1868-7421]) μg.l-1 . Repeating this last study at a flow rate of 2ml.min-1 resulted in quite high aluminium concentrations when the uncoated device was not heated (~1000μg.l-1 ) and higher concentrations after the device was heated. We conclude that using uncoated aluminium plates in fluid-warming systems can lead to a risk of administering potentially harmful concentrations of aluminium when balanced crystalloid solutions are used. The mechanism is unclear, but heat is in part involved. Coating for aluminium within medical devices in direct contact with infusion fluids should be recommended.

A single-droplet-based electrochemical fluorescence method for the determination of aluminum at the nanomolar level

This paper combines a single-droplet-based electrochemical system with an optical fiber fluorescence spectrometer to develop an electrochemical fluorescence method for determining the nanomolar level of aluminum. Al3+ ions were preconcentrated on a glassy carbon rotating disk electrode (RDE) at −2.0 V. After preconcentration, the RDE was rinsed and a droplet (80 μL) of solution containing 0.2 mM 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid (HQS) was sandwiched between the RDE (above) and the reference/counter integrated electrode (below). Subsequently, the RDE was rotated and aluminum was stripped into the droplet at −1.4 V; the fluorescence intensity was then measured using a 395 nm LED excitation source. The fluorescence intensity at 515 nm is positively correlated with Al3+ concentration, allowing the determination of aluminum. This method exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity with a detection limit of 7.6 nM. Trace aluminum in real samples was determined by this method and satisfactory results were obtained.

Egg White Hydrolysate as a functional food ingredient to prevent cognitive dysfunction in rats following long-term exposure to aluminum

Aluminum (Al), which is omnipresent in human life, is a potent neurotoxin. Here, we have tested the potential for Egg White Hydrolysate (EWH) to protect against changes in cognitive function in rats exposed to both high and low levels of Al. Indeed, EWH has been previously shown to improve the negative effects induced by chronic exposure to heavy metals. Male Wistar rats received orally: Group 1) Low aluminum level (AlCl3 at a dose of 8.3 mg/kg b.w. during 60 days) with or without EWH treatment (1 g/kg/day); Group 2) High aluminum level (AlCl3 at a dose of 100 mg/kg b.w. during 42 days) with or without EWH treatment (1 g/kg/day). After 60 or 42 days of exposure, rats exposed to Al and EWH did not show memory or cognitive dysfunction as was observed in Al-treated animals. Indeed, co-treatment with EWH prevented catalepsy, hippocampal oxidative stress, cholinergic dysfunction and increased number of activated microglia and COX-2-positive cells induced by Al exposure. Altogether, since hippocampal inflammation and oxidative damage were partially prevented by EWH, our results suggest that it could be used as a protective agent against the detrimental effects of long term exposure to Al.

Aluminum in the lungs of Ontario hardrock miners

The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of aluminum in the autopsied lungs of eight hardrock miners. These miners had inhaled McIntyre Powder (a mixture of aluminum and aluminum oxide) as a prophylaxis against silicosis. The study involved chemical analysis of lungs, where each whole lung was divided horizontally into three sections and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a graphite furnace. The grand mean level of aluminum was found to be 476.4 µg/g of dry tissue, which is similar in the range reported for occupationally exposed groups. The effect of smoking was also examined and found to be unrelated. This study provides an estimate of retained aluminum in the lungs of Ontario hardrock miners as a result of occupational exposure to hardrock mining environment and inhalation of McIntyre Powder.

Appraisal of heavy metal levels in some marine organisms gathered from the Vellar and Uppanar estuaries Southeast Coast of Indian Ocean

ABSTRACTThree marine organisms Mugil cephalus, Portunus pelagicus and Penaeus indicus were gathered from the Vellar and Uppanar estuaries, Southeast Coast of India . Their muscle tissues, gills, gonads, and skin were investigated for the presence of some trace elements, by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry. The results showed that the Aluminum concentration level was observed to be greatest in all of the examined marine organisms followed by Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd. The highest level of Aluminum observed in skin, gonad and gill of mullet fish followed by crab gonad and shrimp muscle respectively. Vellar estuarine organisms showed significantly lower concentrations of heavy metals compared to organisms obtained from the Uppanar estuary. The minimum level of Cadmium was observed in all the tissues of the studied marine organisms. None of the trace metals investigated in Vellar and Uppanar estuaries was over the extreme allowable level endorsed by CODEX.

Trace element contents in foods from the first French total diet study on infants and toddlers

Occurrence data for aluminium, antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chrome, cobalt, gallium, germanium, nickel, strontium, silver, tellurium, tin and vanadium were compiled during the first French Total Diet Study on infants and toddlers. For infant foods, meat-/fish-based and vegetable-based ready-to-eat meals were among the most contaminated food categories for most trace elements, except for gallium, antimony and vanadium, for which the concentrations were relatively similar in all food categories. Soups/purees and cereal-based foods had the highest levels of aluminium (653 and 630 μg kg−1, respectively), whereas fruit purees had the highest level of tin (424 μg kg−1). Infant and follow-on formulae and growing-up milks had relatively low mean contents of trace elements compared with the other infant food categories: e.g. aluminium (220 μg kg−1), arsenic (1.80 μg kg−1), cadmium (0.51 μg kg−1). Chocolate-based foods contributed substantially to the higher levels of aluminium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium and nickel in sweet and savoury biscuits and bars, dairy-based desserts and croissant-like pastries. Only the contribution of chromium and barium levels were statistically different between infant and common foods, with median concentrations being slightly higher in infant foods. The results were largely comparable to those from other surveys on baby food.

A longitudinal assessment of aluminum contents in foodstuffs and aluminum intake of residents in Tianjin metropolis.

AimIn this report, we retrieved and analyzed the data of aluminum contents in foodstuffs over a 6‐year span between 2010 and 2015 and assessed the risk of dietary aluminum exposure in residents of Tianjin metropolis.MethodsA multistage random clustering method was used to survey Tianjin residents between 2010 and 2015. Samples were mainly purchased from breakfast vendors, farmers’ markets, and supermarkets in Tianjin between 2009 and 2015. A total of 1,814 persons aged at least 2 years from 1,262 households from randomly chosen communities were asked to complete the questionnaire on food consumption. Aluminum contents in the food samples were determined.ResultsTotally 21.14% of food samples exceeded the recommended aluminum residue limit over the study period. The mean aluminum levels in the food samples over the 6‐year span were 111.9 7 ± 265.26 mg/kg, and the mean P95 was 597.00 mg/kg. Totally 21.14% of the food samples exceeded the recommended aluminum residue limit (100 mg/kg). The lowest mean aluminum levels in food were detected in 2010, and the highest levels were found in 2015. The highest mean aluminum levels were found in jellyfish. The highest total mean aluminum intake in food was 83.61 mg/day in those aged at least 50 years and younger than 66 years. Meanwhile, children aged at least 2 years and less than 8 years had the highest mean weekly aluminum intake (18.19 mg/kg body weight/week); they also had the highest MOS (18.19).ConclusionThe findings indicate that despite the implementation since 2014 of the new policy on the use of aluminum food additives in China, residents in Tianjin still face high levels of aluminum exposure in foodstuffs with young children particularly vulnerable. Public awareness of the new policy should be enhanced, and more vigorous supervision of the use of aluminum food additives should be undertaken.

Physiological mechanisms of aluminum (Al) toxicity tolerance in nitrogen-fixing aquatic macrophyte Azolla microphylla Kaulf: phytoremediation, metabolic rearrangements, and antioxidative enzyme responses.

To investigate the extent of aluminum toxicity tolerance of eco-friendly, fast-growing, fresh water, pteridophytic Azolla-Anabaena symbiotic association in terms of altered physiological signals; Azolla microphylla Kaulf was exposed to 0 (control), 100, 250, 500, and 750μM AlCl3, at pH 4.5 for 6days. The adversity of Al was increased in a dose-dependent manner and the highest was recorded at 750μM AlCl3. Despite the significant loss in membrane integrity (80% electrolyte leakage) due to an enhanced generation of H2O2, A. microphylla reflected only 50% growth inhibition (fresh and dry weight) at 500μM AlCl3 (LD50). However, the average root length of Azolla was drastically reduced at high concentration due to their direct contact with aluminum-containing growth medium. Contrary to this, the whole association maintained moderate chlorophyll, carbohydrate content, photosynthetic efficiency, nitrogen-fixing ability, and nitrogen content at high Al concentration. Probably, growth protection was pertained through significant detoxification of H2O2 by employing an efficient antioxidative defense system including antioxidative enzymes (SOD, APX, and CAT) and non-enzymatic antioxidant carotenoids. An enhanced level of phenolics and flavonoids in the root exudates possibly maintained a non-toxic level of aluminum inside the cell (195.8μg Al/g FW) which makes A. microphylla a suitable pteridophytic plant to not only remove toxic Al from the contaminated sites but also to improve nitrogen status of those regions. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Occupational exposure to petroleum products and its effects on heavy metal metabolism in automobile mechanics

In fuel filling station attendants various pathological events have been linked with exposure to petroleum products, with the severity of these events correlated with blood levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX). BTEX are volatile compounds, so exposure through the nasal route is possible yet in auto-mechanics because dermal exposure is also pronounced, this may lead to the presence of non-volatile petroleum product constituents (e.g. heavy metals) in their systemic. The aim of the study is estimate heavy metal levels in serum of auto-mechanics. Random sampling technique was employed to recruit participating age-matched control and auto-mechanics. Questionnaire was administered, with focus on demographic- age, lifestyle, work experience in years, and work hours, and the type of protective gear used during work hours. Serum obtained from 5 mL of venous blood was used to estimate levels of lead, aluminium, nickel, silicon, cadmium, and arsenic by atomic absorption spectrometry. Student’s t-test was used to determine statistical difference between the means of both groups, p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. The duration of exposure in years was 6- 9 (range) and work-hours (automobile mechanics) per day was an average of 8 hours. All the heavy metals estimated were significantly higher in automobile mechanics compared with control subjects. There are indications that elevated levels of lead, aluminium, nickel, silicon, cadmium, and arsenic is associated with this occupation.

Nanoclays in Food and Beverage Packaging

In this study, we present and discuss the technical benefits of using nanoclays as a promising property enhancer in organic polymers for food and beverage packaging. The incorporation of nanoclays can improve the thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties of a host polymer. Both natural hydrophilic and modified organophilic nanoclays provide unique characteristics to the host polymer depending on the selected applications. Besides the advantage of polymer reinforcement, various novel applications of nanoclays in food packaging have been suggested recently, such as control and release for active ingredients, antimicrobial agent, and carrier for the colorimetric indicator system. The existing migration studies discussing the transition from plastic to nanoclay packaging revealed that the diffused level of aluminum and silicon in the nanoclay packaging are within the limitation proposed in Council Directive 90/128/EEC (1990). Therefore, until now, there is no safety restriction in the use of clay nanocomposite films in food packaging applications.

Aluminum and tin: Food contamination and dietary intake in an Italian population

Aluminum and tin are ubiquitous in the environment. In normal biological systems, however, they are present only in trace amounts and have no recognized biological functions in humans. High exposure to these metals can result in adverse health effects such as neurodegenerative diseases. In non-occupationally exposed subjects, diet is the primary source of exposure. In this study, we aimed at estimating dietary aluminum and tin intake in an Italian adult population.We measured aluminum and tin concentrations through inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry in 908 food samples. We also estimated dietary intake of these two metals, by using a validated semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire administered to 719 subjects (319 men and 400 women) recruited from the general population of the Emilia Romagna region, Northern Italy.We found the highest aluminum levels in legumes, sweets, and cereals, while the highest tin levels were in sweets, meat and seafood. The estimated median daily dietary intake of aluminum was 4.1 mg/day (Interquartile range – IQR: 3.3–5.2), with a major contribution from beverages (28.6%), cereals (16.9%), and leafy vegetables (15.2%). As for tin, we estimated a median intake of 66.8 μg/day (IQR: 46.7–93.7), with a major contribution from vegetables (mainly tomatoes) (24.9%), fruit (15.5%), aged cheese (12.2%), and processed meat (10.4%).This study provides an updated estimate of the dietary intake of aluminum and tin in a Northern-Italy adult population, based on data from a validated food-frequency questionnaire. The intake determined for this population does not exceed the established thresholds of tolerable intake.

Concentrations of Thirteen Trace Metals in Scales of Three Nototheniid Fishes from Antarctica (James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula).

In this study, we assessed concentrations of 13 trace metals in the scales of Notothenia coriiceps, Trematomus bernacchii and Gobionotothen gibberifrons caught off the coast of James Ross Island (Antarctic Peninsula). Overall, our results for scales broadly match those of previous studies using different fish and different organs, with most metals found at trace levels and manganese, aluminium, iron and zinc occurring at high levels in all species. This suggests that scales can serve as a useful, non-invasive bioindicator of long-term contamination in Antarctic fishes. High accumulation of manganese, aluminium, iron and zinc is largely due to high levels in sediments associated with nearby active volcanic sites. Manganese, vanadium and aluminium showed significant positive bioaccumulation in T. bernacchii (along with non-significant positive accumulation of iron, zinc, cobalt and chromium), most likely due to greater dietary specialisation on sediment feeding benthic prey and higher trophic species. Levels of significance in bioaccumulation regressions were strongly affected by large-scale variation in the data, driven largely by individual differences in diet and/or changes in habitat use and sex differences associated with life stage and reproductive status. Increased levels of both airborne deposition and precipitation and meltwater runoff associated with climate change may be further adding to the already high levels of manganese, aluminium, iron and zinc in Antarctic Peninsula sediments. Further long-term studies are encouraged to elucidate mechanisms of uptake (especially for aluminium and iron) and possible intra- and interspecific impacts of climate change on the delicate Antarctic food web.

Genesis and Classification of Nitisols from Volcano-Sedimentary Lithology in Northeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT On the southern coast of Pernambuco State (PE), Brazil, lithotypes of the Cabo Basin (volcanic and sedimentary rocks), in association with the relief, allow the determination of the dynamics of the formation of Nitossolos Haplicos (Nitisols), including those with high levels of exchangeable aluminum. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of lithological diversity (basalt and sedimentary siliciclastic rocks) on the morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of Nitossolos Haplicos along a slope (P1-summit, P2-backslope, P3-footslope) [...]

Aluminium utensils: Is it a concern?

Aluminium utensils are ubiquitous in Indian households and other developing countries. Concerns have recently been raised on the pathological effects of aluminium on the human body, due to its leaching from utensils with long-term use, which has been associated with certain clinical conditions such as anaemia, dementia and osteo-malacia. While some studies suggest that cooking in utensils or aluminium foils is safe, others suggest that it may lead to toxic levels of aluminium in the body. However, studies have shown that leaching of aluminium from cooking utensils depends on many factors such as pH, temperature and cooking medium. In healthy controls, 0.01 %-1 % of orally ingested aluminium is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is eliminated by the kidney. Although the metal has a tendency to accumulate in tissues and may result in their dysfunction, the literature suggests that the apprehension is more apt in patients with chronic renal insufficiency. This article offers solutions to mitigate the risk of aluminium toxicity.

Evaluation of heavy metal levels in serum of Wistar rats exposed to engine oil

Purpose: Data are available that indicate there is an elaborate elemental constitution of petroleum products, with identified elements contained in the many products being additive (e.g. Ca, Zn and P) as well as wear metals (e.g. Ag, Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb and Sn). In addition, incessant deliberate exposure of engine oil to both human beings and farm animals for therapeutic reason has been reported. Therefore the objective of this study is to evaluate the levels of heavy metals in serum of engine oil-exposed rats. Materials &amp; Methods: Thirty adult female rats were divided equally into 5 groups. The first and second groups were treated with engine oil by oral route (as contaminant of feed) at dosage levels of 0.5 and 1.0 mL/kg body weight respectively. The third and forth groups received the test agent through the dermal route at dosage levels of 0.5 and 1.0 mL/kg body weight while the fifth group served as the control. The duration of the study was 30 days, after which blood was obtained from each rat, centrifuged and the resultant serum used for the analysis of heavy metals by employing Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), p≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: Data obtained showed that there were significant differences in the levels of aluminium, silicon, cadmium, lead, arsenic, vanadium, and nickel. Conclusions: These increases suggest that incessant exposure to engine oil may be dangerous and therefore constitute health hazard.

Association Between Serum Aluminum Level and Uremic Pruritus in Hemodialysis Patients

Uremic pruritus (UP) is a common symptom in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). The pathogenesis of UP is complex. Aluminum (Al) is a common metal and is toxic to patients undergoing HD. Al is also a known human allergen which can induce immune reactions. However, the correlation between Al and UP remains unclear in dialysis patients. A total of 866 patients on maintenance HD were enrolled for analysis. The HD patients with higher serum Al levels had higher a prevalence of UP than those with lower serum Al levels. After adjusting for confounding variables, the serum Al level was significantly associated with UP. Overall, each 10-fold increase in serum Al level was associated with a 5.64-fold increase in the risk of developing UP in these subjects. The results of this cross-sectional study suggest that serum Al level may be associated with the development of UP in patients on maintenance HD.

Association of Serum Aluminum Levels with Mortality in Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis

Despite reported evidence on the relationship between higher serum aluminum levels and poor outcomes in patients on chronic hemodialysis (CHD), the acceptable cutoff value of serum aluminum for mortality remains unclear. A retrospective observational cohort study with 636 Taiwanese patients on CHD was conducted to investigate the impact of serum aluminum levels on mortality. The predictors were bivariate serum aluminum level (<6 and ≥6 ng/mL) and the Outcomes were all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality. During the mean follow-up of 5.3 ± 2.9 years, 253 all-cause and 173 CV deaths occurred. Crude analysis showed that a serum aluminum level of ≥6 ng/mL was a significant predictor of all-cause [hazard ratio (HR), 1.80; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.40–2.23] and CV (HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.36–2.50) mortality. After multivariable adjustment, the serum aluminum level of ≥6 ng/mL remained a significant predictor of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.37, 95% CI, 1.05–1.81) but became insignificant for CV mortality (HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.92–1.81). Therefore, our study revealed that a serum aluminum level of ≥6 ng/mL was independently associated with all-cause death in patients on CHD, suggesting that early intervention for aluminum level in patients on CHD might be beneficial even in the absence of overt aluminum toxicity.

Dry matter yield of six perennial legume species in response to lime over 3 years at Glenmore Station, Mackenzie Basin

The production and persistence of legumes which may improve South Island high-country pasture in the Mackenzie Basin were studied. The initial soil test results confirmed toxic levels of aluminium (9 mg/kg, 0-150 mm soil depth) that has prevented the development of large areas of land traditionally grazed by merino sheep and beef cattle. A 3-year field experiment was direct-drilled in December 2012 with five rates (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 t/ha) of surface applied lime and six legumes (lucerne, ‘Russell’ lupin, Caucasian clover, white clover, balansa, and Lotus pedunculatus) in three replicates. In Year 1, balansa clover and Russell lupin were the highest yielding legumes (7 t DM/ha), regardless of lime application rates. In Year 2 ‘Russell’ lupin was the highest (10.4 t DM/ha). Caucasian clover produced 4.6 t DM/ha and white clover and lucerne around 4.0 t DM/ha. Balansa clover (1.4 t DM/ha) and Lotus pedunculatus (2.5 t DM/ha) were the lowest yielding and they did not recover or persist after the initial grazing by merino sheep. These results confirmed that ‘Russell’ lupin and Caucasian clover thrived without the application of lime in this acidic soil with high Al levels.

Association between catatonia and levels of hair and serum trace elements and minerals in autism spectrum disorder

The objective of the study was to investigate the association between catatonia in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the levels of hair and serum trace elements and minerals in children with ASD. The levels of hair and serum trace elements and minerals of boys suffering from ASD with (n = 30) and without (n = 30) catatonia, as well as 30 age- and sex-matched neurotypical controls were assessed using ICP-MS. Hair calcium (Ca) and selenium (Se) levels were lower in ASD patients as compared to the controls. Hair mercury (Hg) levels in ASD patients were more than 3-fold and 2-fold higher as compared to the controls and children with catatonia in ASD. Hair iodine (I) and manganese (Mn) were the lowest and the highest in ASD + Catatonia, respectively. Serum aluminium (Al) and cadmium (Cd) levels in healthy controls were significantly higher in comparison to the patients of both groups. Serum chromium (Cr), copper (Cu) levels were significantly increased in patients with ASD and catatonia, whereas vanadium (V) levels were elevated in patients both with and without catatonia. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that hair Hg and serum Al and Cd levels were negatively associated with catatonia in ASD in crude and adjusted models. Although the etiology of catatonia in ASD is unclear, the obtained data demonstrate that catatonic symptoms in ASD may be at least partially mediated by altered trace element levels. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of trace elements in the potential signaling mechanisms of catatonia.