Aluminum hydroxide is an inorganic salt that is commonly used as an antacid. It is also used as a fire retardant and smoke suppressant in a wide range of polymers, including polyesters, acrylics, ethylene vinyl acetate, epoxies, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and rubber. Additionally, it is a feedstock for the manufacture of other aluminum compounds, such as calcined aluminas, aluminum sulfate, polyaluminum chloride, aluminum chloride, zeolites, sodium aluminate, activated alumina, and aluminum nitrate.
Positive aspects:
- Aluminum hydroxide is effective as an antacid.
- It is a very effective fire retardant and smoke suppressant in a wide range of polymers.
Negative aspects:
- There is limited evidence of any toxicity associated with aluminum hydroxide.
- Some studies have suggested a possible link between aluminum exposure and Alzheimers disease, but the evidence is not conclusive.
- Aluminum hydroxide is classified as expected to be toxic or harmful to the environment and is classified as a medium human health priority.
Ingredients or materials:
- Aluminum hydroxide is an inorganic salt.
- It is manufactured by the Bayer process, which involves dissolving bauxite in sodium hydroxide at temperatures up to 270 °C (518 °F). The waste solid, bauxite tailings, is removed, and aluminum hydroxide is precipitated from the remaining solution of sodium aluminate.
- Aluminum hydroxide can be converted to aluminum oxide or alumina by calcination.
- Aluminum hydroxide is sometimes used as an ingredient in vaccines as an adjuvant to enhance the immune response to the vaccine.
