| Abstract: | During the past decade, aluminium (Al) has been shown to possess a potential for systemic toxicity. Renal patients form a high-risk group for Al poisoning, and biological monitoring is indicated to diagnose and prevent toxicity. Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry is the analytical method of choice for measuring Al levels. Special precautions have to be taken to prevent contamination with environmental Al or adsorption of Al to glassware during analysis. Since this metal is almost evenly distributed between plasma and erythrocytes, either plasma or whole blood may be used to estimate exposure to Al. Measurement in dialysis fluid is suitable to assess parenteral uptake. Hair analysis is of no value. The normal value in plasma is 7.3 +/- 2.0 micrograms/l (mean +/- SD, n = 10); toxic symptoms are mainly associated with levels above 100 micrograms/l. A dialysate level not exceeding 5 micrograms/l may be considered safe; intestinal absorption is then the only remaining, highly variable source of Al uptake. |
