Aluminum toxicity

Aluminum Metal

• Dusts cause respiratory tract and eye irritation
• Acute exposures can cause bronchoconstriction and asthma-like response
• Chronic exposure can lead to pulmonary fibrosis
• Increased incidence of cancer

Aluminum phosphide

• Used as a fumigant
• Contact with moisture produces phosphine gas
• Respiratory tract irritant

Aluminum oxide

• Physical irritant, nuisance particulate

Systemic aluminum toxicity

• Usually in renal patients on long-term dialysis with aluminum-containing dialysate
• Rarely acute
• Muscle weakness (especially proximal)
• Premature osteoporosis, bone pain, multiple fractures
• Seziures
• Acute or subacute altered mental status

Evaluation

• Aluminum level > 50 µg/L (mcg/dL) suggests aluminum overload and possible toxicity
  • Symptomatic patients with levels 20-50 may also need treatment

Management

• Stop exposure
• Chelation with deferoxamine for severe or symptomatic systemic toxicity

See Also

• Toxicology (main)