Aluminum is one of the most abundant materials found on the Earth’s surface. However, except for its oxide form, called bauxite, none of it is found in the pure form. It is found in its combined state in over 270 minerals. Discovered in 1825, the name was derived from the Latin word alumen, which stands for alum and means bitter salt.
What does Aluminum look like?
This material is whitish silver in appearance and is malleable and soft. It occupies 8.1% of the Earth’s surface. For commercial purposes, it is extracted through the Hall-Herout process. The method involves dissolving the aluminum oxide in molten cryolite and then electrolytically turning it into pure Aluminum. The pure form can be recycled easily without corroding it, but the process involves huge electricity consumption. Nearly 5% of the electricity in the US goes into the process of extracting Aluminum.
Nature of the metal
Aluminum in itself is very soft and has to be combined with alloys like magnesium, manganese, copper silicon and copper. It is non-toxic, corrosion resistant, high on thermal conductivity and extremely ductile. The metal has no biological role as such, but it is absorbed by the human body in small quantities through food. Some of the food items that have more Aluminum content are lentils, tea, processed cheese and sponge cake. In bakery items, the Aluminum comes from the raising agents used in them.
Uses of Aluminum
This metal has always been used for food preservation, purifying the drinking water and in the form of an astringent. Various kinds of products including cans, window frames, beer kegs, and airplane parts are manufactured from Aluminum. As a conductor of electricity, it is quite acclaimed even though it is less expensive that copper.
Aluminum in medicines
Aluminum is used in medicines in varying proportions. The most common form of the use of Aluminum in medicines is as antacid which is nothing but Aluminum hydroxide. It functions excellently in the case of heartburn, stomach acid, indigestions and sour stomach. It is also used in the treatment of kidney failure and stomach ulcers. Many vaccines also contain Aluminum hydroxide because it is known to enhance immunity. Aluminum is consumed by people through water, medicines, and food, but most of it simply passes through without getting absorbed by the body. However, it might be toxic for people with kidney dysfunctions because if it’s not functioning properly the Aluminum gets stored and creates a poisonous effect. For instance, patients undergoing dialysis are supposed to consume Aluminum-free water.
Do Aluminum has harmful effects on Human?
Aluminum is generally not harmful at all. But having said that excess of anything can be dangerous, some studies claim that people having exposure to high levels of aluminum can get affected by Alzheimer’s disease. But there is no any proof of it, and some other studies refuses this claim.
It has also been observed that children with kidney diseases when exposed to high levels of aluminum have got affected with brain and bone disease.
Conclusion
Except for specific cases, Aluminum is beneficial for human health and essential for overcoming contamination and bacteria. It is one of the primary components used for the purification of drinking water. Aluminum finds use in the cosmetic industry as well, especially, in the manufacturing of deodorants. Some of these might cause skin irritation because the Aluminum compound tends to clog the pores of the underarm leading to itching and acne. Pure Aluminum does not pose any risk, but many of its compounds can be harmful when they get accumulated leading to osteomalacia, nerve damage, and kidney damage.
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