Aluminium contamination via assisted leaching from metallic aluminium utensils at neutral pH.

Fluoride ion in trace concentrations is found to leach metallic aluminium from utensils even at neutral pH, releasing aluminium hydroxide which is readily soluble in dilute acids. The levels of leaching at different F(-) concentrations are given and compared with leaching levels with equivalent concentrations of Cl(-). It is suggested that consumption of water boiled in aluminium utensils may contribute to cumulative aluminium toxicity.