Aluminium and your health

Learn about aluminium, its health risks and how to reduce your exposure

On this page

• About aluminium
• Safety of aluminium
• What we’re doing to reduce your exposure
• What you can do to reduce your exposure

About aluminium

Aluminium occurs both naturally and in synthetic form. It can enter the environment through various processes, including:

• metal mining
• cement production
• electric power generation
• pulp and paper manufacturing
• production of aluminium, such as smelting
• use of products and manufactured items containing aluminium compounds, such as aluminium cookware

Aluminium is also found in various products available to consumers, such as:

• plastics
• textiles
• cosmetics
• cleaning products
• paints and coatings
• pest control products
• ink, toner and colourants
• automotive care products
• arts, crafts and hobby materials
• building and construction materials
• natural health products and non-prescription drugs

Aluminium occurs naturally in foods and is permitted as an additive to food and food packaging.

Safety of aluminium

Under Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan, we review and manage the potential risks that chemical substances can pose to people in Canada and the environment. The first stage of the review process is a draft chemical risk assessment.

We have completed the draft assessment for 55 aluminium-containing substances. We are proposing that the following may pose a risk to human health:

• aluminum chlorohydrate
• aluminum hydroxychloride

These 2 substances are common ingredients in some antiperspirant and deodorant products. Repeated inhalation of these substances from using aerosol antiperspirants and foot deodorant sprays may lead to lung effects that are harmful to our health.

This is not a concern for non-aerosol antiperspirants and deodorants, which are applied to the skin.

We’re also proposing that:

• exposures to the other 53 aluminium-containing substances do not pose a risk to your health
• aluminium-containing substances are not harmful to the environment

What we’re doing to reduce your exposure

Our assessment is not yet final. We are continuing to evaluate the potential risks posed by the 55 aluminium-containing substances before we publish our conclusion. This includes:

• tracking new information on exposures or hazards
• asking the public to comment on our draft assessment
• reviewing and using this information to help shape our final assessment

Currently, there are restrictions on aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum hydroxychloride used in deodorants and antiperspirants:

• these substances are described as restricted on the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist
  • this informs manufacturers, importers and sellers about the restrictions on the use of aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum hydroxychloride in certain cosmetics

If the final assessment confirms these proposed findings, we will consider:

• adding aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum hydroxychloride to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
  • this would allow Canada to implement preventive or control actions for the life cycle of the substances, including:
    • research and development
    • manufacture
    • use
    • storage
    • transport
    • disposal or recycling
• modifying the status of aluminum chlorohydrate and aluminum hydroxychloride on the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist to prohibit their use in aerosol products.

What you can do to reduce your exposure

You can take steps to reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals.

• read product labels and follow all safety warnings and directions
  • labels on cosmetics, natural health products and non-prescription drugs must list all ingredients
• follow the manufacturer’s directions to dispose of the product safely
• contact the manufacturer if it’s not clear whether a product contains aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum hydroxychloride
• provide any comments on our draft assessment during the 60-day public comment period

If you’re exposed to aluminum chlorohydrate or aluminum hydroxychloride at work, talk to your employer and occupational health and safety (OHS) official about:

• relevant laws
• safe handling and storage practices
• requirements under OHS legislation and the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

Related links

• Use household chemicals safely
• Measuring your exposure to chemicals
• Canada’s systems for addressing chemicals
• Overview of the Chemicals Management Plan

For industry and professionals

• Aluminium-containing substances – information sheet
Risk assessment of chemical substances