What Is Aluminium?

Aluminium is a lightweight and corrosion-resistant metal that is used in a large number of industries due to its resilient properties. In addition to its strength and low weight, it also has very high electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and very highly reflective qualities.

Aluminium’s core uses include vehicle components and containers for liquids and food items. Aircraft are also constructed of high-grade aluminium sheeting due to their ability to absorb impacts from drops or collisions. Furthermore, its lightweight quality also helps keep down the weight of the aircraft! 

Other uses of Aluminium include food foil wrappings along with aluminium cans for storage of beverages and other products. Its durableness makes aluminium a cost-effective material for use in our daily lives; however, it can also be recycled which further increases its sustainability.

Where does it come from?

Aluminium contamination of drinking water can occur naturally from soil, rock, or mining and refining activities. It is also possible for aluminium levels to increase through certain city water treatment procedures.

Why should you test for it?

While low levels of aluminium are not considered dangerous to human health, high concentrations can cause serious health problems. For this reason, it is important to test for aluminium when evaluating the quality of drinking water.

The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) has established an acceptable limit of aluminium of 200 µg/l. This value should be used as a guide when assessing whether or not your drinking water contains an acceptable level of aluminium. 

If you suspect that your drinking water contains higher levels of aluminium, you should try to get it tested by an approved laboratory as soon as possible. This will determine if further action needs to be taken to reduce the concentration of aluminium present in your drinking supply.

Unfortunately, there can be certain health concerns associated with its presence in drinking water if the levels are too high. According to The World Health Organisation (WHO), research suggests that long-term exposure to large concentrations of aluminium can have adverse health effects such as developmental defects, neurological problems, and impaired kidney function among others. 

There has also been a recent link between aluminium in drinking water and Alzheimer’s Disease. It is therefore vital that safe levels as suggested by the experts are not exceeded. By doing so, we may be able to prevent serious illness caused by elevated aluminium levels in our tap water.

We offer aluminium water testing in our essentials, advanced and ultimate water testing kits.