Polyaluminium chloride

Aluminum chlorohydrate is a group of specific aluminum salts having the general formula AlnCl(3n-m)(OH)m. It is used in cosmetics as an antiperspirant and as a coagulant in water purification. Aluminum chlorohydrate is a group of specific aluminum salts having the general formula AlnCl(3n-m)(OH)m. It is used in cosmetics as an antiperspirant and as a coagulant in water purification. In water purification, this compound is preferred in some cases because of its high charge, which makes it more effective at destabilizing and removing suspended materials than other aluminum salts such as aluminum sulfate, aluminum chloride and various forms of polyaluminum chloride (PAC) and polyaluminum chlorisulfate, in which the aluminum structure results in a lower net charge than aluminum chlorohydrate. Further, the high degree of neutralization of the HCl results in minimal impact on treated water pH when compared to other aluminum and iron salts. Aluminum chlorohydrate is one of the most common active ingredients in commercial antiperspirants. The variation most commonly used in deodorants and antiperspirants is Al2Cl(OH)5. Aluminum chlorohydrate is also used as a coagulant in water and wastewater treatment processes to remove dissolved organic matter and colloidal particles present in suspension. The Food and Drug Administration considers the use of aluminum chlorohydrate in antiperspirants to be safe and it is permitted in concentrations up to 25%. Studies have found only a negligible association between exposure to and long-term use of antiperspirants and Alzheimer's disease. There is no adequate evidence that exposure to aluminium in antiperspirants leads to progressive dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Heather M. Snyder, the senior associate director of medical and scientific relations for the Alzheimer's Association, has stated, 'There was a lot of research that looked at the link between Alzheimer's and aluminum, and there hasn't been any definitive evidence to suggest there is a link'. The International Journal of Fertility and Women's Medicine found no evidence that certain chemicals used in underarm cosmetics increase the risk of breast cancer. Ted S. Gansler, the director of medical content for the American Cancer Society, stated 'There is no convincing evidence that antiperspirant or deodorant use increases cancer risk'. However, there is continued concern over the use of aluminum chlorohydrate in cosmetics as the risk of toxic build up overtime has not been ruled out. The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) is currently designing a study to analyse the build up of aluminum chlorohydrate via dermal penetration to assess the risk of toxic build up.