Aluminium levels in the blood plasma of persons working in the aluminium industry

Abstract

Due to the exposure to alumina in the air, workers in the primary aluminium industry are expected to exhibit a higher aluminium exposure than the general population. The additional daily intake will be less than 20 mg. The determination of aluminium in blood plasma of electrolysis-workers by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry revealed levels before shift in the range of 20-30 μg/L compared to levels of less than 3 μg/L in a non-occupationally exposed group. These levels refer to work in old plants with unhooded pots. The plasma levels can rise up to 60 μg/L during the shift. A similar rapid change of the levels during work is seen in the urine values. Due to the delay in excretion the maximal values in the range of 5 μg/h are found four hours after cessation of work. It seems therefore that only preshift samples give a reliable measure of the body burden. Compared to the much higher levels in dialysis patients the observed values in aluminium workers are not considered to be of relevance to health.