By Susan Anyangu
Aluminium is present almost everywhere in the environment, yet after years of accumulated exposure and storage in body tissues, its effects can be debilitating.
The metal is used in manufacturing and is present in foods, medication, water and soil. What most people are unaware of is that it is poisonous and over exposure could lead to brain degeneration and skeletal deformities.
Dr Nicholas Muraguri, the director, National Aids and STDs Control Programme (Nascop), says years of exposure to the metal have health implications, including kidney failure and dementia.
"Aluminium toxicity affects organs including kidneys a situation that could lead to kidney failure. When the metal is deposited in the bones, it leads to pain and eventual weakness," Muraguri says.
While dangers paused by the metal are adverse, it is ironic humans come into contact with aluminium on regular basis that it is difficult to avoid it.
According to Muraguri, one source of aluminium is medication some of which are available over the counter.
"For instance, packaged anti-acids have aluminium that is not harmful. However, continuous usage of the same without proper instructions from a doctor may expose one to high levels of aluminium," he says.
Digestive medications such as those recommended to alleviate diarrhoea and haemorrhoid can also contain aluminium. A typical dose of antacids can have as much as 200mg. To that regard, consuming several of those in a day could mean one is exposed to 800-5000mg of aluminium.
It emerges that frequent users of aspirin, such as people with arthritis, could possibly take up to 700mg of aluminium a day. Ironically, since aluminium contributes to bone damage, the aspirin would actually enhance arthritis.
Locally, many households prepare their food and store it in aluminium pots. This also includes the steel wool used to clean the pots.
If you thought using stainless steel cookware is safe, well, experts have evidence indicating that after being used for a short period of time, aluminium traces begin to enter the food. This is because aluminium is used for bonding layers when making stainless steel cookware.
threat to nervous system
Muraguri says aluminium poisoning is particularly dangerous to the nervous system with symptoms that can include disturbed sleep, nervousness, emotional instability, memory loss, headaches and impaired intellect.
"Unfortunately, this metal can also be found in the air we breath and those prone to toxicity are those living near dumpsites," he says.
Aluminium poisoning can stop the body’s ability to digest and make use of calcium phosphorus and fluoride. This in turn prevents bone growth and reduces bone density. In serious situations the metal can force calcium out of the bones, resulting in deformation.