Airborne Aluminum As an Underestimated Source of Human Exposure: Quantification of Aluminum in 24 Human Tissue Types Reveals High Aluminum Concentrations in Lung and Hilar Lymph Node Tissues

Overview

Journal Environ Sci Technol

Publisher American Chemical Society

Specialty Environmental Health

Date 2024 Jun 18

PMID 38888518

Authors

Clara Ganhor

Lukas Mayr

Julia Zolles

Marion Almeder

Matin Kazemi

Markus Mandl

Christian Wechselberger

Dave Bandke

Sarah Theiner

Christian Doppler

Andreas Schweikert

Marina Muller

Spela Puh

Michaela Kotnik

Rupert Langer

Gunda Koellensperger

David Bernhard

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Aluminum (Al) is the most abundant metal in the earth's crust, and humans are exposed to Al through sources like food, cosmetics, and medication. So far, no comprehensive data on the Al distribution between and within human tissues were reported. We measured Al concentrations in 24 different tissue types of 8 autopsied patients using ICP-MS/MS (inductively coupled plasma-tandem mass spectrometry) under cleanroom conditions and found surprisingly high concentrations in both the upper and inferior lobes of the lung and hilar lymph nodes. Al/Si ratios in lung and hilar lymph node samples of 12 additional patients were similar to the ratios reported in urban fine dust. Histological analyses using lumogallion staining showed Al in lung erythrocytes and macrophages, indicating the uptake of airborne Al in the bloodstream. Furthermore, Al was continuously found in PM and PM fine dust particles over 7 years in Upper Austria, Austria. According to our findings, air pollution needs to be reconsidered as a major Al source for humans and the environment.

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