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.
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Schlatter, C., Steinegger, A., Rickenbacher, U. et al. Aluminium levels in the blood plasma of persons working in the aluminium industry. Environ Geochem Health 12, 59–64 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01734049
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01734049