[dd]

When using ally ladders trad (mostly used wooden) or aluminum wfp always noticed I got grey/black hands from the aluminum.

My understanding is this is absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream, so over time (years) this could become a problem as aluminum is toxic and is stored in the brain and bones.

Aluminum poisoning can lead to dementia and a softening of the bones amongst other things.

Glad I don't use ally poles or ladders too regularly as I believe this is a long term risk to health.

[kris martin]

there goes my health then, when i spend a day on ladders my hands are caked in alloy???

[dd]

The trouble is it is a long term health risk, may be 20 or 30 years down the line before results are evident.

Government departments are very good at denying or playing down health risks because there is no "proof".

I don't know how high the risk is from aluminum poisoning, but I believe there is one. Aluminum is toxic, I get black/grey hands from ally pole or ladders. Common sense tells you...?

[Clive McDonald]

It is true but....

Yes the demented brain has aluminium in it. So they said don't use ali saucepans etc. This doesn't help because healthy people don't absorb it, those with the condition do.
For example the opposite is older females losing bone mass. No amount of drinking milk will help.

[dd]

Absortion of aluminum will be prevented/diminished by a healthy diet and possibly other factors e.g. genetic. How healthy is everyones diet and should we expose ourselves to handling aluminum 7 hours a day, 5 days a week?

I am trying to highlight a potential long term health risk for some.

[sjm]

A friend of mine had this problem , and one of his custys ( a Dr ) advised him to use a barrier cream 

[cybersye]

A friend of mine had this problem , and one of his custys ( a Dr ) advised him to use a barrier cream 

i was gonna suggest that too. i used to be a litho printer and several people i worked with suffered from dermititus through abrasians and cuts on their hands whilst handling inks n chemicals, barrier cream was something i always used to prevent it, may have to get some now i'm using my supa doopa new harris pole 

[[GQC] Tim]

I'm more concerned of spray deodorants, the stuff that you breath in is NOT good for you. They took a scan of my uncle's lungs, and they found loads of Aluminium in his lungs, he has always used those sprays. It was something in that direction anyway.

[michael papworth]

The jury is still out on the aluminium debate. But it may be wise to take sensible precautions. You can ALWAYS rely on ther department of health for good up-to-date advice.

Two government reports in the same week (i) highlighted the danger of taking vitamins and (ii) indicated that depleted uranium doesn't pose a health risk.

Therefore, feed yourself and family on breakfast cereal with added uranium.

[Sanity]

The absorbsion of metal occurs on any contact with metal, earings, rings, piercings, coper / lead in drinking water....

[Alex Gardiner]

The safest way to use aluminium poles is if they are anodized (like the Powerpoles).  This seals in the raw aluminium.

[Pj]

18 years up and down aluminium ladders and no problems so far....

...Sorry what was this topic about?

[Helen]

im sure health and safty would have pointed this out if it were true

Watch this space.......
Seriously, though as long as you are fit and healthy you really have nothing to worry about. Ali is a naturally occuring element in the earth's make up and is found in food air and water. Just look around your house and see how much ali is used in utensils, appliances. deodorants etc etc. If you don't want to risk putting more into your body, the wear gloves

[Moderator David@stives]

The jury was out on lead paint for years, the same with arsenic in make up.

Asbestos was the big one, the wonder material of the future.

spray deoderants containing aluminium is a big no no

[dd]

We are all exposed to a wide range of potentially harmful chemicals in the environment through modern living.

But if you use e.g. a harris pole regulary you would surely put yourself at some risk because of constant prolonged contact year on year.

My observations are from getting grey/black hands when using an aluminum pole or ladders. (I have a tucker pole and a stream pole but mostly use fibreglass).

Aluminum is toxic, there are no health/nutrional benefits from it.

[Tosh]

As a window cleaner; falls from height aside; I think a bigger risk is getting too many UV rays from the sun.

Every window cleaner I know; including me; always has a deep tan in the Summer; and I'm carefull and use top-end factor 50 stuff; usually.

A (now ex) customer of mine was riddled with cancer that begun as skin cancer on her nose; and then rapidly spread.

[sgibsoncleaning]

i have had a good look, and cant see that you can get it from absorbtion. you can get it from ingestion, ie eating. its the same with lead poisoning. you get it from breathing in dust or eating it. so as long as you wash your hands before eating or smoking your risk is minimal. i wrote a piece on the other cleaning forum a while ago about lead from leaded windows.
its basic common sense to wash your hands after work and before eating. fairy liquid can cause major stomach upsets, guess what word i cant spell.

[dd]

If your hands get gry/black from holding aluminum pole, it will also be absorbed through your skin into your blood stream before you get home to wash your hands.

People who handle asbestos wear full protective clothing to aviod any contact with skin - the skin is porous.

[tacky]

i have just looked at some old photos of myself b fore i started win cleaning .n dd is correct my hair has   turned a silver .color . ps ladders for sale .if i by wooden ladders will it turn back to brown . please help

[dd]

Get yourself a carbonfibre pole and it will turn black. You'll look 30 years younger.