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Mankind has begun to live in the age of aluminum
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Aluminum is one of the most common metals on our planet. It can be found everywhere. That is why everything that can be made from aluminum is now made, and sometimes this metal gets into our body.
Aluminum is now used everywhere, as this metal is the cheapest and most accessible in our time. Food and cosmetics are packed in aluminum cans and boxes.
"We live in the era of aluminum. It is simply impossible not to come across it at least one day. It is the third most abundant element in the earth's crust. Aluminum easily and naturally penetrates into water and soil. And since it is quite easy to extract, it is used everywhere in industry. Now aluminum is everywhere: in vegetables, water, baby milk, dishes, cosmetics and even vaccines," says British chemist Christopher Exley.
This metal, which has no biological function, unlike zinc or, for example, iron, quickly penetrates the skin and digestive tract. Once in the blood, it is filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. However, about 20% of aluminum manages to avoid filtration and settles in our body, mainly in the bones, liver, lungs and brain.
Over many years, aluminum can accumulate in the body until our body begins to malfunction. In large doses, aluminum is quite a toxic element.
"Aluminum is in tap water and in food," scientists say. "It's hard to hide from. It's hard to avoid."
Aluminum is found in food additives, preservatives and colorants such as E173, E520 to E523, E541, E554 to E556, E558, 559 and E1452. So be careful.
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