Aluminum
Naturally-occurring metal found in the Earth's crust with multiple industrial uses, including the construction of buildings and powerlines, and the manufacture of vehicles, consumer electronics, household appliances, and kitchenware. It is also frequently used in municipal water treatment to clarify water from lakes and reservoirs. Health effects of aluminum exposure are inconclusive but actively researched.
Health Guideline Level (HGL)
0.07 ppb
Maximum level that poses minimal health risk based on the latest science
Health Effects
Much of the current research on the health effects of aluminum in drinking water is still inconclusive and controversial. Health protective benchmarks for aluminum in drinking water set by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment are based on potential neurotoxicity and developmental toxicity in premature infants. People more susceptible to aluminum impacts include infants and people with impaired kidney function.
Affected Organs & Systems:
Common Sources
- May enter water sources through leaching from soil or rock, or from industrial activities like metal refining and mining operations
- Elevated aluminum levels in drinking water can also result from municipal treatment processes that use aluminum-based coagulants
How to Remove It
Water filters certified under the following NSF standards are effective at removing Aluminum:
Health Guideline Level
The HGL represents the maximum level that poses minimal health risk based on the latest scientific research. It's often more protective than federal legal limits.
Contaminant Type
Aluminum is classified as a Metals contaminant.
This contaminant primarily affects the nervous-system, developmental.
Check Your Water
Find out if Aluminum is in your tap water.
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