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Mechanisms of aluminium neurotoxicity in oxidative stress-induced ...

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INTRODUCTION<br />

and [Al13(OH)30] 9+ . The solid Al(OH)3 is the predom<strong>in</strong>ant species <strong>in</strong> the neutral pH<br />

range, whereas the soluble tetrahedral alum<strong>in</strong>ate [Al(OH)4] - predom<strong>in</strong>ates above pH 8.<br />

Figure 21: Mole fraction <strong>of</strong> soluble <strong>alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> ions as a function <strong>of</strong> solution pH <strong>in</strong> aqueous solution<br />

(Priest 2004)<br />

Sources <strong>of</strong> <strong>alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> exposure<br />

Environmental exposure<br />

54<br />

Alum<strong>in</strong>ium and its compounds are widely distributed <strong>in</strong> the environment<br />

although most naturally occurr<strong>in</strong>g <strong>alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> is bound and not readily bioavailable. As<br />

example, this metal is present <strong>in</strong> a variety <strong>of</strong> m<strong>in</strong>erals, such as silicates (feldspars and<br />

micas), complexed with fluor<strong>in</strong>e and sodium as cryolite, and is chiefly m<strong>in</strong>ed as<br />

bauxite, a m<strong>in</strong>eral conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g 40-60% <strong>alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> oxide (alum<strong>in</strong>a) (Ganrot 1986).<br />

Alum<strong>in</strong>ium is a major constituent <strong>of</strong> atmospheric particulates, primarily found as<br />

alum<strong>in</strong>o-silicates, orig<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g from natural soil erosion, m<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g or agricultural activities,<br />

volcanic eruptions, or coal combustion. Atmospheric <strong>alum<strong>in</strong>ium</strong> concentrations were<br />

reported to range generally from 5 to 180 µg/m 3 (Sorenson et al. 1974) whereas<br />

concentrations <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>dustrial areas are <strong>of</strong>ten <strong>in</strong> the milligram per cubic meter range.

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