Dames & Moore, 1999 - USDA Forest Service

Constituent
Aluminum
Arsenic
Acute Toxicity Summary
Soluble forms of aluminum are potentially toxic; the
insoluble forms have no measurable acute response. Acute
aluminum toxicity is unlikely. The vast majority of cases
of aluminum toxicity in humans fall into one of two
categories: I) patients with chronic renal failure; 2) people
exposed to aluminum in the workplace. Aluminum dust
may cause eye irritation.
Acute oral exposure can cause muscular cramps, facial
swelling, cardiovascular reactions, severe gastrointestinal
damage, and vascular collapse leading to death. Sensory
loss and hematopoietic symptoms delayed afler exposure
to high concentrations are usually reversible. Inhalation
exposure can cause severe irritation of nasal lining, larynx,
and bronchi.
TABLE 7.1-44
TOXICITY PROFILES FOR INDICATOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES
Chronic Toxicity Summary
Some aluminum workers are at risk for
developing respiratory manifestations of
aluminum toxicity, mainly asthma, chronic
obstructive lung disease, and pulmonary
fibrosis. Serum phosphorus was reduced and
urinary phosphorus and calcium were
increased with chronic exposure to aluminum
aerosol. Delayed hypersensitivity,
telangiectases, and granulomas may occur
from chronic aluminum skin contact.
Chronic oral or inhalation exposure can
produce: changes in skin, including
hyperpigmentation and hyperkeratosis;
peripheral neuropathy; liver injury;
cardiovascular disorders; peripheral vascular
disease associated with oral exposures; and
blackfoot disease. High doses of some
inorganic arsenic compounds to pregnant
laboratory animals produced malformations
in offspring.
.
Cancer Potential
Excess skin cancers have been
observed in individuals drinking
water with elevated levels of
arsenic from natural sources.
Excess lung cancers have been
observed in workers exposed to
elevated concentrations of arsenic
in air.
Other
Aluminum compounds have been
evaluated as non-mutagenic by most
standard methods of mutagenic assays.
Toxicity viies for different
compounds; inorganic trivalent arsenic
compounds are usually more toxic
than pentavalent compounds.