Aluminum lixiviation during the process of tribocorrosion in acids, basic and neutral means: cooking simulation

Some studies suspect that aluminum may cause dementia or other cognitive impairments in humans as a result of long exposures to this substance. This research intends to measure how much aluminum is leached during the baking process in pans of this metal. The study considered variations of pH, working in acid, basic and neutral means. A tribometer was used to simulate the wear done by a kitchen spoon, commonly used to prepare food, and these simulations were done inside compartments containing solutions with different pH. After the simulations, the solutions were collected and analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy to verify the amount of aluminum present. It is possible to affirm from this study that with the use of aluminum pans there are great chances of releasing the metal in the food, quantities above the Interim Tolerable Weekly Consumption of the WHO