Experts call for less aluminum in deodorants

Federal Institute for Risk Assessment warns of too much aluminum from cosmetic products

27/11/2014

Experts repeatedly recommend careful handling of aluminum-containing cosmetics such as deodorants or creams. The reason for this is the assumption that the light metal could possibly promote diseases such as Alzheimer's and breast cancer. As reported by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), however, a clear correlation has not yet been scientifically proven. Therefore, experts are currently discussing at the 15th BfR Forum under the motto „Aluminum in everyday life: a health risk?“ on the current state of research and possible conclusions.

Aluminum could be a risk factor for breast cancer or Alzheimer's
Consumers are often advised to use deodorants sparingly with aluminum and to make better use of aluminum-free products. The reason: For years it is speculated whether the light metal could possibly be a risk factor for breast cancer or Alzheimer's - but there is no scientific evidence. „Anyone who sprays an anti-perspirant with aluminum under their armpits for decades should not underestimate this“, Ariane Lenzner from the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment told the news agency „dpa“. For some people could be suspected that the tolerable amount was already achieved solely by the inclusion of aluminum on food and drinking water. In addition, the light metal is also included in other cosmetic products such as eyeshadows, lipsticks or creams, as well as in tea leaves, spices and packaging material such as aluminum foil. Normally, the aluminum is excreted in the urine, but also accumulates in healthy people in the course of life, especially in the lungs and skeleton.

Experts discuss possible long-term consequences at the 15th BfR Forum
Does aluminum really make you sick? Experts will now discuss these and other questions at the 15th BfR Consumer Protection Forum, which will be held under the motto „Aluminum in everyday life: a health risk?“ takes place in Berlin until the 27th of November. „There are scientific uncertainties in estimating the long-term consequences of chronic aluminum uptake “, BfR President Professor dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel in a communication from the institute. It would „in particular [.] data on the actual intake levels of aluminum through the skin“ are missing, explains Hensel. Accordingly, no clear link between the uptake of light metal and diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or breast cancer has been documented. For this reason, according to the BfR, inter alia, scientists from Australia and Great Britain at the congress would present their work on the possible risk of breast cancer and Alzheimer by aluminum.

One milligram of aluminum per kilogram of body weight per week
However, it has already been proven that aluminum in large quantities can damage the nerves in humans and the offspring in animals. In addition, according to the BfR „Evidence for a possible association of aluminum with breast cancer [...] from studies in women whose aluminum contents in the mammary gland tissue were elevated“ result. Accordingly, the institute is currently oriented to the European Food Safety Authority (Efsa) and recommends for adults a maximum amount of one milligram of aluminum per kilogram of body weight per week. A tolerable intake (TWI), which could be achieved from the point of view of some experts even with the use of an aluminum-containing deodorant. According to the BfR, there is still a clear need for research here, although the cosmetics industry is already planning a comprehensive study. (No)