Aluminum in everyday life a health risk?

BfR Forum Consumer protection on possible health risks of aluminum in food and cosmetics

24/11/2014

Aluminum and aluminum-containing compounds are part of many foods, cosmetics and other products. Experts have warned of health risks for years, because aluminum is linked to the development of diseases such as Alzheimer's and breast cancer. However, clear scientific evidence is missing so far. In addition, infertility in the context of the long-term consequences of toxic light metal is discussed. At the 15th BfR Consumer Protection Forum on 26 and 27 November 2014 at the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) in Berlin-Marienfelde, the question will be asked as to whether aluminum actually causes illness.

Under the motto „Aluminum in everyday life: a health risk?“ Experts discuss the current state of research and the resulting conclusions with stakeholders from the political, business, non-governmental, media consumer and consumer sectors.

Health risks and long-term consequences of aluminum have not yet been sufficiently scientifically investigated
„There are scientific uncertainties in estimating the long-term consequences of chronic aluminum uptake “, reports BfR President Professor Dr. Andreas Hensel. „In particular, there is a lack of data on the actual intakes of aluminum through the skin.“ However, such information is needed to make an assessment of the health hazards of aluminum, taking into account all routes of exposure.

Since aluminum is found in many foods, the tolerable, non-injurious intake of a part of the population could already be exhausted by their dietary habits. If additional quantities are added, for example through the use of aluminum containing deodorants, this benchmark could be exceeded quickly. However, which health risks this entails has not yet been sufficiently clarified.

Connection between aluminum and diseases such as breast cancer and Alzheimer's is not scientifically proven
Some studies suggest an association between aluminum intake and Alzheimer's disease as well as the development of breast cancer, where causality is not proven. On the other hand, a nerve-damaging effect of high aluminum doses on humans and reproductive effects in animals is considered scientifically proven. The supposition that aluminum could cause breast cancer is mainly based on measured elevated levels of aluminum in the breast tissue of patients. In this context, aluminum deodorants in particular are suspected of being carcinogenic due to their increased aluminum content. Aluminum salts seal the welding channels and thus inhibit the formation of perspiration. BfR found in an evaluation of the estimated aluminum intake from antiperspirants in February of this year that the daily intake of an aluminum-containing deodorant may have already completely exhausted the tolerable weekly intake.

At the BfR Forum, experts will discuss the inconsistencies and gaps in the data and where research should start in order to assess the health risks of aluminum. The event can be watched as a livestream at www.bfr.bund.de on the Internet. (Ag)