About Michael Simone Expertise I have a BS in chemistry and have been working in real world analytical labs for the past 15 years. I am not able to answer questions regarding Biochemistry. I have a broad base of experience including gas and liquid chromatography, atomic and organic spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction and electron microscopy. If your question pertains to analytical chemistry, chances are I can answer it, or at least point you toward someone who can.
Experience BS in Chemistry, 15 years analytical chemistry experience, Not biochemistry. Worked in environmental analysis, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics,consumer products
Organizations Member of The American Chemical Society
Question I have heard in the news about using deoderants with aluminum in them may be harmful. I did some research and found in my health food store a deoderant made form mineral salts. It does work well. After doing further reasearch, I found that the main ingrediant in this salt is Potassium Alum. They are called Thai deoderant stones. They state that this form is not absorbed into the skin and it is a natural "large part" of the ingredients. What I want to know is Potassium Alum really aluminum in disquise. Thanks, Gale
Answer First off, sorry for not getting back to you sooner.
Yes potassium alum contains aluminum. Alum is aluminum sulfate – Al2(SO4)3. Potassium alum is potassium aluminum sulfate – AlK(SO4)2. Now commercial products use aluminum chlorohydrate and other aluminum salts as antiperspirants. The concern is that there may be some link between high concentrations of aluminum in the system and certain ailments such as Alzheimer's disease. Also these antiperspirants work by plugging the pores and preventing perspiration, perspiration being a natural function many feel that it is not healthy to plug up your sweat glands. I think that the action here is antimicrobial. The alum salt prevents the growth of bacteria responsible for body odor, but it does not act as an antiperspirant.
But the question is, are you absorbing aluminum through your skin by using this product? Probably yes. Aluminum sulfate is fairly water soluble, probably more so than aluminum chlorohydrate. So if you are trying to avoid aluminum, this is not the way to go.
Keep in mind that there are many things in nature which are poisonous, just because something is natural doesn't necessarily make it safe.
Right now we are working on a calcium silicate additive which has deodorant properties and acts by neutralizing the organic acids responsible for body odor. It is not an antiperspirant, nor is it antimicrobial. We are marketing to the big manufaturers of persoal care products Proctor and Gamble, Colgate, etc. So, in a couple years, there may be an ideal product for you on the market. If you see a new deodorant and see synthetic calcium silicate on the ingredients, that's us.
In the meantime, I don't know what else to reccommend. My feeling is that the level of use is probably low enough that you reall don't need to worry about using the deodorant stone. But to answer your question, yes it does contain aluminum.
