HOME >> BIOLOGY >> NEWS
Aluminium Study Puts Drinking Water In The Clear

Using a world first technique, CSIRO has found convincing evidence that the use of alum - aluminium sulphate - to treat drinking water is safe.

"We found that the aluminium we get from alum-treated drinking water is such an insignificant amount we don't need to worry. Only 1-2% of our daily intake of aluminium comes from water and of this, only the barest trace is absorbed. Much of the aluminium that is absorbed is then excreted in urine," CSIRO scientist Dr. Jenny Stauber says.

The results have significance for water authorities around the world who use alum to clarify drinking water as part of the water treatment process. Alum is later filtered from the water, but a small fraction dissolves and is not removed.

The cause of Alzheimer's disease is subject to international research. A variety of possible causes have been considered however no link between aluminium intake and Alzheimer's has been established. However some conflicting evidence in earlier studies suggested that aluminium that is left in treated drinking water may be more readily taken up by the body than aluminium from other sources.

"Aluminium is the Earth's third most common element and occurs naturally in food and water. Most of the aluminium we consume in our food and drinking water is not absorbed and goes straight through our bodies to be excreted in faeces. What we were interested in was the trace that is absorbed into our blood," Dr. Stauber says.

"If aluminium from water were to significantly increase the total amount of aluminium in the human body, it would have to be in a form that is much more easily absorbed into our bloodstream ( i.e. more bioavailable) than aluminium in food (which has low bioavailability). This is because a greater proportion of our daily intake of aluminium comes from food," Dr. Stauber says.

"We were able to calculate that aluminium from alum-treated drinking water would contribute less than 1 per cent to our body burden of aluminium
'"/>

Contact: Dr. Jenny Stauber
Jenny.Stauber@det.csiro.au
61-2-9710-6808
CSIRO Australia
2-Nov-1998


Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. Study: Emission of smog ingredients from trees is increasing rapidly
2. Study explores gene transfer to modify underlying course of Alzheimers disease
3. Study reveals why eyes in some paintings seem to follow viewers
4. Study by Israeli scientists provides insight on DNA code
5. Study reveals first genetic step necessary for prostate cancer growth
6. Study of flu patients reveals virus outsmarting key drug
7. Study in Science reveals recreational fishing takes big bite of ocean catch
8. Study suggests cell-cycle triggers might be cancer drug targets
9. Study narrows search for genes placing men at increased risk for prostate cancer
10. Study links high carbohydrate diet to increased breast cancer risk
11. Study explains spatial orientation differences between sexes

Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
TAG: Aluminium Study Puts Drinking Water The Clear

(Date:5/23/2013)... more than 284 million tons of cargo, transit the Panama ... fees for the Panama Canal Authority. Each time a ship ... used from Gatun Lake, which is also a source of ... , However, the advent of very large "super" cargo ... sea, has demanded change. The Panama Canal is being expanded ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... cancer patients unnecessarily undergo surgery or harsh treatments ... slow-growing and aggressive forms of the disease. Researchers ... Medical Institutes are developing technology that allows patients ... relatively mild treatments or take drastic measures. , ... an associate professor of biomedical engineering at Case ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... in Neuron , the team reveal the interplay ... work funded by the Wellcome Trust and BBSRC. ... stimuli we improve our perceptual abilities. While these changes ... can also affect the fidelity of that response. ... Neuroscience explains: "When you communicate with others, you can ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Reforestation study shows trade-offs between water, carbon and timber 2Reforestation study shows trade-offs between water, carbon and timber 3Using big data to identify prostate cancers and best treatments 2Using big data to identify prostate cancers and best treatments 3
(Date:5/23/2013)... HILLS, Calif. , May 23, 2013  Saddleback ... recently became the first hospital on the ... robotic technology. This new surgical option provides women with ... Marc Winter , M.D., ... gynecologist and surgeon and medical director of minimally invasive ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... , May 23, 2013 Z Trim Holdings, ... ingredients to a variety of industries, announced that Chef ... panel discussion at this year,s National Restaurant Association ("NRA") ... on behalf of the Research Chefs Association.  Chef Ryan ... The Good, the Bad and the Ugly," joining four ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... 2013  Verenium Corporation (Nasdaq: VRNM ), ... and commercialization of high-performance enzymes, today announced that ... present at two upcoming conferences. (Logo: ... the Second Annual Marcum LLP Microcap Conference on Thursday, ... New York City.  The presentation is scheduled to begin ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... 2013 African Ancestry , ... people of African descent, today announced new product ... people of all races, myDNAmix determines various ancestries ... populations: Indigenous Americas (Native American), East Asia, West ... , Originally launched in late 2011, the ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Saddleback Memorial Surgeon First on the West Coast to Perform Single-Site Robotic Hysterectomy 2Saddleback Memorial Surgeon First on the West Coast to Perform Single-Site Robotic Hysterectomy 3Z Trim's Chef Erin Ryan sits on Expert Panel at NRA Show 2Z Trim's Chef Erin Ryan sits on Expert Panel at NRA Show 3Verenium To Present At Two Upcoming Conferences 2Verenium To Present At Two Upcoming Conferences 3AfricanAncestry.com Rolls Out Improved MyDNAMix Admixture Test for People of all Races; Enhancements Increase Accuracy in Estimation of Ancestral Makeup 2AfricanAncestry.com Rolls Out Improved MyDNAMix Admixture Test for People of all Races; Enhancements Increase Accuracy in Estimation of Ancestral Makeup 3
Cached News: