I did a lot of research in August of 2001 on the issue of aluminum oxide in connection with a thread about Soy Protein Isolate (SPI) as many companies use aluminum vats with respect to SPI production. What happens is that a slurry of soy beans is first mixed with an alkaline solution to remove fibre, then precipitated and separated using an acid wash and, finally, neutralized in an alkaline solution. ACID WASHING IN ALUMINUM TANKS LEACHES HIGH LEVELS OF ALUMINUM INTO THE FINAL PRODUCT.
Aluminum has a tendency to accumulate in the brain and bones. It is considerably less
toxic than mercury, arsenic, lead or cadmium, but it appears to be more persistent than most of them. The danger is that aluminum toxicity pretty much manifests itself only over long periods of time as opposed to aluminum toxicity symptoms appearing after only a short acute exposure. The PRINCIPAL SYMPTOM OF ALUMINUM POISONING is the loss of intellectual function; forgetfulness, inability to concentrate, and in extreme cases, full blown dementia & is believed to be a contributing factor in Alzheinmers Disease. Due to prolonged exposure over many years, it has also been known to CAUSE BONE SOFTENING & BONE MASS LOSS, KIDNEY & OTHER SOFT TISSUE DAMAGE, & IN LARGE DOSES, CAN EVEN CAUSE CARDIAC ARREST.
Additionally, Aluminum oxide is used as a component of paints and varnishes and in the manufacture of alloys, ceramics, glass, electrical insulators and resistors. For those who have worked most of their lives in settings with regular exposure to aluminum oxide, the significant health effects of inhaling aluminum oxide particles include:
1) conjunctivitis, pharyngitis, and nasal irritation.
2) Occupational asthma has been reported in aluminium smelter workers but these individuals have also been exposed to several other potential allergens (including fluorides and sulphur dioxide).
3) Chronic aluminium oxide inhalation may also cause pneumoconiosis with cough and exertional dyspnoea, diffuse reticulonodular shadowing on chest X-ray and a restrictive pattern of pulmonary function. In severe cases death may result from respiratory failure or corpulmonale.
While there is no established role for chelation therapy in chronic aluminium oxide poisoning, it has been noted that when iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc levels drop, the uptake of aluminium worsens. Therefore, for humans, taking mineral supplements seems to be a good idea as absorption of aluminum is dramatically reduced by the presence of iron in the body. While I cannot comment on whether other glider
diets contain adequate amounts of iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc, I do know the BML
diet Plan makes use of Herptivite which contains calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc. The BML
diet Plan also makes use of the Rep-Cal Phosphorus-Free Calcium with D-3 which (assuming a glider is eatting the BML mix regularly) should keep these particular minerals from being too low systemically.
Again, the key factor involving
toxic aluminum poisoning is that it is cumulative and slow acting over many years rather than occurring from one acute exposure episode. I, therefore, concur with Randy that aluminum oxide does not pose a serious health risk to gliders especially if they are on a proven
diet which incorporates appropriate amounts of calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc.