Aluminum

By Peter Galvin, MD

Aluminum has been known to enhance immune responses since 1926. Although its presence in vaccines has led to scrutiny and questions, studies over the last two decades have not identified health concerns related to quantity or route of administration, yet some continue to question the safety of aluminum in vaccines, and others also question the safety of vaccines in general (despite hundreds, if not thousands of studies proving the safety and efficacy of vaccines in disease prevention).

Aluminum comprises 8% to 9% of the earth’s crust, making it the most abundant metal and third most common element on the earth’s surface. Aluminum is used to make building materials, cookware, food and beverage containers, and fireworks. Aluminum is also used in the paper, dyes, textiles, and glass industries; water purification; solid-rocket fuels; oil refining; and is a component of paints and pigments. Aluminum is present in drinking water, processed and unprocessed foods, and common personal products such as cosmetics, antiperspirants, medications and vaccines, so people are exposed by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Medical exposure can occur through injection (vaccines, medications), ingestion (antacids, buffered aspirin), or skin contact (first aid products).

The human body processes aluminum rather quickly. Approximately 50% to 70% of a given amount of aluminum is excreted in the urine within 24 hours, and about 83% within two weeks. Small amounts can remain in the body for years and can be found in many body tissues. Adults typically have 30 to 50 mg of aluminum in their bodies, about half of that in bones and one-quarter in the lungs (thought to be from inhalation, not ingestion). Normal serum aluminum levels are 1 to 3 ug/l (micrograms per liter). Aluminum toxicity in patients with chronic kidney disease was once a problem, however improvements to water purification routines and decreases in treatment-related aluminum exposure among these patients have decreased untoward effects. Plus, restored kidney function following kidney transplant has also improved patient outcomes. Together, these findings suggest that most people efficiently process aluminum, preventing its toxicity.

It was once thought that aluminum was a contributing factor to dementia, but while aluminum can rarely be toxic, studies have proven that aluminum in vaccines and medications is safe. In addition, it is estimated that US adults ingest 7 to 9 mg of aluminum daily. Across the lifespan of a human, dietary absorption of aluminum far outpaces aluminum exposure from vaccines and medications. During the first two years of life, dietary aluminum exposure is between 3 and 18 mg, compared to 4.425 mg from vaccines. In the first 18 years of life, dietary exposure is between 73 to 438 mg compared to less than 8 mg from vaccines. During adulthood (19 to 100 years), dietary exposure is between 395 and 2347 mg compared to less than 5 mg from vaccines.

Given our understanding of how the human body processes aluminum; the relative levels of exposure from diet vs vaccines; and the known, untoward health effects of aluminum toxicity, the evidence is very assuring that aluminum exposure from vaccines based on the January 2025 recommended immunization schedule does not cause untoward health effects during the first few years of life or later.

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