Aluminium Chloride: Safe During Pregnancy?

Aluminium chloride hexahydrate is found in antiperspirants and affects the cells that produce sweat. While there is insufficient data on its effects during pregnancy, it is in FDA pregnancy category C, which means it should be avoided. Experts state that it should be avoided during the first trimester of pregnancy and by women of childbearing potential who are not using contraception.

Aluminium chloride hexahydrate is found in antiperspirants and is in FDA pregnancy category C, meaning it should be avoided

Aluminium chloride hexahydrate is found in antiperspirants and is categorised as FDA pregnancy category C, meaning it should be avoided during pregnancy.

Aluminium is a known neurotoxin, and research has shown that exposure to it can lead to neurological disorders. As such, limiting exposure to aluminium during pregnancy is recommended by experts.

Aluminium chloride hexahydrate affects the cells that produce sweat. While the human body usually excretes aluminium, if levels exceed the body's capacity, it can be deposited and stored in tissues and organs.

During pregnancy, fetal exposure to aluminium is influenced by the maternal environment, diet, and use of aluminium-containing medications. It has been shown that pregnant women who consume citrate-containing beverages significantly increase their absorption of aluminium in the gut. After birth, infants continue to ingest aluminium from breast milk or infant formulas.

Aluminium has been shown to have toxic effects on the developing infant, increasing their susceptibility to a range of diseases. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended restricting daily aluminium administration to 5 μg/kg of body weight for parenteral nutrition and intravenous fluid therapy products in neonates and pre-term infants due to its well-established adverse health effects.

To reduce exposure to aluminium during pregnancy, pregnant women should be advised against consuming aluminium-containing antacids and using aluminium utensils for cooking. They should also be informed about avoiding post-natal exposure of their children to aluminium.

Aluminium is a known neurotoxin and exposure can lead to neurological disorders

Aluminium is a known neurotoxin, and research shows that exposure to it can lead to neurological disorders. Aluminium's free ion, Al3+ (aq), is highly biologically reactive and can interfere with essential cellular (neuronal) biochemistry. Aluminium is present in the human brain and accumulates with age. Recent research demonstrates that a significant proportion of individuals over 70 years old have a potentially pathological accumulation of aluminium in their brains.

Aluminium's neurotoxicity has been demonstrated in humans, animal models, and tissue and cell culture. Aluminium is a potent pro-oxidant, interacting with the superoxide radical anion to establish, fuel, and sustain redox cycles. These effects are significant because the enhanced formation of reactive oxygen species may be accelerated at sites distinct from the cell's anti-oxidant machinery. For example, aluminium sinks such as extracellular senile plaques and intracellular chromatin of neuronal nuclei are likely targets of aluminium-driven oxidative damage.

Aluminium is also an excitotoxin, and several mechanisms have been described by which it induces elevated and sustained levels of intracellular Ca2+, with significant implications for cellular energy metabolism and uncontrolled phosphorylation of biomolecules. The presence of biologically reactive aluminium imposes an immediate energy requirement on a neuron, either due to the need to produce more Ca2+-buffering proteins or address the consequences of hyperphosphorylation through autophagosomal activities.

Furthermore, aluminium is a mutagen, and the phosphate-rich environment of the nucleus predisposes it to accumulate aluminium and subsequently alter the expression of genetic material. Aluminium is also a powerful immunogen, serving as the preferred adjuvant in vaccination and immunotherapy. This reactivity may underlie aluminium's suggested role in autoimmunity.

Recent research has also highlighted relationships between brain metal content, amyloid pathology, and Alzheimer's disease. In individuals with moderate-to-severe amyloid pathology, a higher ratio of copper to aluminium in the brain tissue was associated with a lower incidence of Alzheimer's disease. While brain aluminium content must exceed a toxicity threshold to contribute to neurotoxicity, it may be challenging to quantify this threshold for non-essential aluminium.

In conclusion, aluminium is a known neurotoxin, and exposure to it can lead to neurological disorders through various mechanisms, including its interference with essential cellular processes and its ability to induce oxidative damage, excitotoxicity, mutagenesis, and immunogenicity.

Aluminium hydroxide is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless clearly needed

Aluminium chloride hexahydrate is an aluminium compound found in antiperspirants. It affects the cells that produce sweat. Although there is limited data on the effects of aluminium chloride on pregnancy, embryofetal development, parturition, and/or postnatal development, it is classified as category C by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), meaning it should be avoided during pregnancy.

Aluminium hydroxide is another aluminium compound. It is also not formally assigned to a pregnancy category by the US FDA. There are insufficient data from studies on animals and humans regarding the effects of this drug on pregnancy, embryofetal development, parturition, and/or postnatal development. Therefore, aluminium hydroxide is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless clearly needed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers aluminium hydroxide to be compatible with breastfeeding. However, some authorities recommend monitoring breastfed infants for side effects.

While aluminium is a known neurotoxin, and exposure can lead to neurological disorders, there is no evidence of maternal and embryofetal toxicity when high doses of aluminium hydroxide are given orally to pregnant rats and mice during organogenesis. However, signs of maternal and developmental toxicity were found in mice when aluminium hydroxide was given concurrently with citric or lactic acids.

It is important to consult a healthcare provider to ensure that any medication or product containing aluminium is safe for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Aluminium exposure during pregnancy can come from ingestion, inhalation, and dermal absorption

Aluminium is a known neurotoxin and a developmental toxicant. It is the most abundant metallic element in the Earth's crust, and exposure to it is inevitable in modern life. It is present in the air, water, and soil, as well as in food, medicines, and consumer products.

During pregnancy, aluminium exposure can occur through:

Ingestion:

• Food: Small amounts of aluminium are present in food, and aluminium additives, foils, and cooking utensils can further increase aluminium intake.
• Water: The concentration of aluminium in drinking water can vary depending on the source water and water treatment methods.
• Medicines: Some medications, such as antacids, buffered analgesics, and other therapeutic preparations contain significant amounts of aluminium.

Inhalation:

Volatile household products: Air fresheners, aerosols, hair treatment chemicals, and chlorine use are associated with higher levels of phthalates, which are chemicals used in consumer product plastics.

Dermal absorption:

Personal care products: Chemicals in products like deodorants, nail polish, and hair straightening treatments can be absorbed through the skin.

While the effects of aluminium exposure during pregnancy on the developing fetus are still being studied, it is generally recommended to limit exposure and consult with healthcare professionals regarding any concerns.

Aluminium is the third most abundant element in the Earth's crust

Aluminium chloride hexahydrate is an ingredient found in antiperspirants. It affects the cells that produce sweat and falls under the FDA pregnancy category C, which means it should be avoided during pregnancy.

Aluminium is a good thermal and electrical conductor. It is ductile and malleable, which means it can be easily machined, cast, and extruded. It is also resistant to corrosion due to the formation of a thin surface layer of aluminium oxide when the metal is exposed to air. This layer prevents the additional oxidation that would otherwise cause rust.

Aluminium is highly recyclable without degrading quality, making it important in the burgeoning circular economy. It is the most widely used metal after iron, with applications in transportation, packaging, construction, cooking utensils, street lighting poles, sailing ship masts, and photographic equipment.

Frequently asked questions