REVIEW PAPER
The health effects of environmental and occupational exposure to aluminum
1,
1 1 | Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny / Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland
(Zakład Biochemii i Fizjologii Klinicznej / Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Physiology) |
2 | Instytut Medycyny Pracy im. prof. J. Nofera / Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland
(Klinika Toksykologii / Toxicology Clinic) |
3 | Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny / Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland
(Zakład Toksykologii Klinicznej / Department of Clinical Toxicology) |
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Iwona Maria Rybakowska
Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny, Zakład Biochemii i Fizjologii Klinicznej, ul. Dębinki 1, 80-211 Gdańsk
Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny, Zakład Biochemii i Fizjologii Klinicznej, ul. Dębinki 1, 80-211 Gdańsk
Online publication date: 2019-11-04
Med Pr 2020;71(1):79–88
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
impact of harmful factors on the human bodyphysical and biological hazardschemical agents in the workplacechemical agents in the environmenthealth promotionoccupational pathology
ABSTRACT
This work features a review of literature discussing the health effects of environmental and occupational exposure to aluminum
(Al) and its compounds. The sources of exposure, absorption routes and metabolism are discussed in detail. The role of Al and
its compounds in the etiology of some diseases, related to both environmental exposure and exposure in the work environment,
is also presented. Aluminum toxicity most often affects the central nervous system, the skeletal system, the hematopoietic system,
the urinary tract and the respiratory system. An increased effect of active forms of oxygen can stimulate the formation of
amyloid deposits. The clinical image of aluminum smelters was dominated by ataxia, memory impairment, impaired abstract
thinking and depressive states. Aluminum compounds have a detrimental effect not only on the psychic but also motor skills.
Med Pr. 2020;71(1):79–88
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