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2064706 
Journal Article 
Serum aluminium levels of workers in the bauxite mines 
De Kom J, FM; Dissels H, MH; Van Der VOET, GB; De Wolff, FA 
1997 
1 
Journal of Toxicology: Clinical Toxicology
ISSN: 0731-3810
EISSN: 1097-9875 
BIOSIS/98/00913 
35 
6 
645-651 
eng 
BIOSIS COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. Backgroundbjective: Aluminium is produced from the mineral bauxite. Occupational exposure is reported during the industrial processing of aluminium and is associated with pulmonary and neurotoxicity. However, data on exposure and toxicity of workers in the open bauxite mining industry do not exist. Therefore, a study was performed to explore aluminium exposure in employees involved in this bauxite mining process in a Surinam mine. Methods/Design: A group of workers occupationally exposed to aluminium in an open bauxite mine were compared with a group of nonexposed wood processors. Serum aluminium was analyzed using atomic absorption spectrometry. Data from the clinical chemistry of the blood and a questionnaire were used to explore determinants for aluminium exposure. Results: No significant difference between serum aluminium in the exposed (4.4 | 2.0 mug/L, n = 27) and control group (5.1 | 1.5 mug/L, n = 27) was detected. For the serum concentration of the clinical che