View Full Version : Aluminum pots and health
I heard that aluminum pots can have long range/short range bad health effects. Do think it's best to steer clear of aluminum pots? Why?
Darwin
daroos@indiana.edu
Jim Adams
11-20-2008, 23:33
A while ago it was thought that research showed aluminum cookware to cause alzheimers which could concievably be a problem for long term backpackers however I do think that I've read that further research has shown this to be false.
geek
Dances with Mice
11-20-2008, 23:42
If you're worried about it then don't use them. Then you've got one less thing to worry about.
You'll ingest more aluminum accidentally (clay soils are aluminosilicates) than you'll ever get from cooking in an aluminum pot.
The Alzheimer's Society postion has been that there is no causal link between aluminum and Alzheimer's, even though aluminum deposits are often found in the brain. As DwM said there are many sources of aluminum. It makes up 8% of the Earth's crust.
I would be careful about taking too many Tums, and daily use of aluminum based deodorants, but I don't mind aluminum cookware. Most aluminum cans and tinned steel cans are coated with epoxy which contains BPA. I might be cautious about use one of those as a cookpot on a regular basis. The beer can coatings are really thin though. For now I don't mind experiment with just about any can until I find the right size and shape and weight I want.
I got proof that alum.does go to the brain somewhat.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d52/oops62/stoves%202/th_vikingwok.jpg (http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d52/oops62/stoves%202/?action=view¤t=vikingwok.jpg)
Chaplain
11-21-2008, 00:16
Ooooops: ha, hardy, hardy, har, har! good photo!!!! Hee, hee, ha, ha!
sticks&stones
11-21-2008, 00:32
pitted aluminum has been defined in this concern
Aluminum absorbed through the stomach is 1/100th that of the absorption of aluminum cutaneously through a single use of deodorant (aluminum based)
Feral Bill
11-21-2008, 01:10
That idea was debunked years ago. If you like aluminum, go for it.
With aluminum, I'd be more concerned about the purity of the aluminum (all cookware is not created equal - most metals are alloys, not pure Aluminum or Titanium). Just for laughs, go through your stainless cookware in your kitchen. If you have a mix of brands, you'll find some will attract a magnet and others will not - because of the alloy (combination of metals) used. The top of my MSR stainless alpine cookset (purchased in the early 1980s is beginning to rust. The pots are apparantly made of superior stainless alloy.
charlie2008
11-21-2008, 02:48
I heard that aluminum pots can have long range/short range bad health effects. Do think it's best to steer clear of aluminum pots? Why?
Darwin
daroos@indiana.edu
Grandma "G" has been hiking since there was dirt and has used odds and ends from an old aluminum military mess kit since day one. She is still kickin. Please send me a pm and I'll give you an address, you may then be able to steer clear of aluminum pots by sending them to me that cause you any concern. :)
-
I know it's not the scientific answer you might have been looking for, but hey, IMHO it's hogwash. Hike with what your comfortable with.
BumpJumper
11-21-2008, 06:21
I cant remember....what was this topic about??:confused::confused::confused::confused:
:D
Hikes in Rain
11-21-2008, 07:14
I like cast iron at home - only my camping/hiking stuff is aluminum. I do wish I could use it often enough to have to worry about this!
Can I please have a Coke/Pepsi/Bud? Oops, all in Aluminum. Where's the FDA? Must be a government conspiracy letting us drink out of aluminum.
daddytwosticks
11-21-2008, 08:36
I thought aluminum beverage cans were lined with plastic?
I thought aluminum beverage cans were lined with plastic?
You are correct.
lol @ the FDA protecting our health though.
I don't use aluminum for cooking because it will dissolve in acidic foods. If you don't believe me, try heating apple cider in an aluminum pot. It's a nasty taste so memorable that my mouth still puckers at the thought.
How fanatical am I at avoiding aluminum? Not very. But I prefer the alternatives--cast iron and stainless steel at home, titanium while hiking.
brooklynkayak
11-21-2008, 17:23
If I remember correct, oxidized aluminum is bauxite a common mineral found everywhere. When you see pits in aluminum, it is caused by oxidation.
Any relationship between aluminum and health concerns is faux science and there is probably proof in the Enquirer Magazine.
Some people believe in faux science so let them make their own decisions.
Aluminum caluse Alzheimers? I can't remember. (couldn't resist)
garlic08
11-21-2008, 17:40
I don't use aluminum for cooking because it will dissolve in acidic foods. If you don't believe me, try heating apple cider in an aluminum pot. It's a nasty taste so memorable that my mouth still puckers at the thought.
I used to cook tomato sauce in an old aluminum pressure cooker. It would be so clean afterwards, I would wonder where all that oxidized aluminum ended up. Then I heard about the Alzheimer's scare way back when, and I guess that one went the way of many urban legends. There are lots of aluminum greasepots out there (and my wife's trailname is "GreasePot"), and if all you're doing is boiling water like most hikers, it should be fine.
Skidsteer
11-21-2008, 18:46
Threads merged. :)
Dear all,
Thank you for the input. I appreciate it.
Take care.
Darwin
BumpJumper
11-21-2008, 23:46
Peaks...what did you say?:D:D
For those of you that use or are thinking of using the aluminum beer cans as a pot please read this information compiled by Dlarson. The entire thread concerning the lining in beer cans can be seen my clicking on the little white box to the left of Dlarson's name.
Re: Plastic Lined Beer Cans as Pots (http://www.bplite.com/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=1321&p=12528#p12521)
http://www.bplite.com/styles/prosilver/imageset/icon_post_target.gif (http://www.bplite.com/viewtopic.php?p=12521#p12521)by dlarson (http://www.bplite.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=235) on Fri Dec 05, 2008 4:28 pm
OK, here's what I know.
Pretty much any beer can is going to have an interior coating over the aluminum (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/coat/mcan/pic-can.pdf) (pg. 26).
Preliminary Industry Characterization:
Metal Can Manufacturing--Surface Coating wrote:Waterborne coatings contain a polymer or resin base, water, and organic solvent. The
organic polymers found in water-based coatings include alkyds, polyesters, vinyl acetates,
acrylics, and epoxies, which can be dissolved, dispersed, or emulsified. The water acts as the
main carrier or dispersant, while the organic solvent aids in wetting, viscosity control, and
pigment dispersion.
...
Beverage can manufacturers use waterborne coatings extensively. Waterborne coatings
are used for 2-piece beverage can base coats, overvarnishes, inside sprays, and rim coats.
The interior coating of a beer can is not developed to withstand boiling water (http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/coat/mcan/pic-can.pdf) at 212 degrees (pg. 29).
Preliminary Industry Characterization:
Metal Can Manufacturing--Surface Coating wrote:In general, coatings must exhibit resistance to chemicals, flexibility, and adhesion to
the metal surface. Coatings for beer and certain beverage cans must be able to survive an
aqueous pasteurization cycle of 20-30 minutes at temperatures ranging from 140F to 160F
Heating plastics promotes leaching (http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080527/BPA_testing_080528/20080528/) of toxins into the food.
Studies have shown when cans are heated in the manufacturing process, BPA leaches out of the linings. Foods are first sealed in cans and heated to kill bacteria in the food. Cans are heated to temperatures between 116 C and 121 C, and the length of time varies according to the type of food.
...
Note: This testing also included two beer cans and found they leached between 8 and 9 parts per billion of BPA. As well, a can of apple juice leached 18 parts per billion.
Ziploc freezer bags do not leach toxins (http://www.care2.com/greenliving/safe-plastics-for-lunchboxes.html) so freezer bag cooking is OK (FAQs Page). And since Ziploc may be biased, here's a second resource stating that Polyethylene bags are safe (http://www.care2.com/greenliving/safe-plastics-for-lunchboxes.html).
My conclusion is that boiling water in just about any aluminum can is unsafe. If the makeup of the internal coating of Heineken 24oz cans can be determined and the coating is of safe materials that's great. But until then it is logical to assume that there is no difference between the Heineken 24oz cans and most other aluminum cans.
Freezer bag cooking, in contrast, is safe until proven otherwise.
............
epilektric
http://www.bplite.com/download/file.php?avatar=235_1226648842.jpg (http://www.bplite.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=235)
dlarson (http://www.bplite.com/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=235) Posts: 276 Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2008 10:02 pm Location: minnesota