Aluminum hydroxide, as a common inorganic compound, is widely used in various fields such as medicine, chemical engineering, and water treatment. Its safety has always been a concern, requiring scientific analysis from multiple dimensions such as chemical properties, application scenarios, and dose effects.
In the field of medicine, aluminum hydroxide is one of the main components of antacids. It reacts with stomach acid to produce aluminum chloride and water, playing a role in neutralizing stomach acid. Clinical studies have shown that short-term moderate use of aluminum hydroxide preparations is safe, but long-term excessive use may lead to the accumulation of aluminum ions in the body, causing adverse reactions such as constipation and osteoporosis. The World Health Organization recommends that the daily intake of aluminum for adults should not exceed 1mg/kg body weight.
In industrial applications, aluminum hydroxide, when used as a flame retardant, filler, etc., mainly poses risks through inhalation and skin contact. Research has shown that aluminum hydroxide dust is irritating to the respiratory tract and long-term exposure may lead to pneumoconiosis. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States sets a time weighted average concentration limit of 5mg/m ³ for aluminum hydroxide in workplace air.
In terms of environmental safety, aluminum hydroxide is a low toxicity substance, but its emissions still need to be strictly controlled. The use of aluminum hydroxide in water treatment processes may alter the pH value of water bodies and affect aquatic ecosystems. The EU REACH regulation lists aluminum hydroxide as a registered chemical substance and requires companies to provide complete safety assessment data.
The scientific use of aluminum hydroxide requires the establishment of a comprehensive risk management system. In the field of medicine, dosage guidance should be strictly followed to avoid long-term use; In industrial production, it is necessary to equip necessary protective equipment and regularly monitor the working environment; In terms of environmental protection, strict emission standards should be established. Through scientific management and technological innovation, the safe use of aluminum hydroxide can be fully guaranteed.
