I don't like purchasing deoderants that contain aluminum sulfate due to the fact that a build-up of aluminum may cause Alzheimer's (my grandfather has it). So, I purchased an all natural deoderant only to later look more closely at the labely and see POTASSIUM ALUM....hmmm, alum versus aluminum? Supposedly alum cannot be absorbed by the skin so it's safe....any proof?
Potassium alum is aluminum potassium sulfate, KAl(SO4)2. Aluminum sulfate is Al2(SO4)3. So aluminum is in there. Aluminum is actually good for the skin. A case in point: Burrow's solution for poison ivy and other skin problems. Drug stores sell Burrow's solution packets ready-to-use. One tears open a packet of aluminum sulfate and one of calcium acetate. Add them both to water, and they react: 3Ca(C2H3O2)2 + Al2(SO4)3 === 3CaSO4(s) + 2Al(C2H3O2)3(aq) You soak in the aluminum acetate solution. The solution must be prepared fresh, because it hydrolyzes to inactive aluminum oxides. Your grandfather's Alzheimer came from somewhere else. Aluminum getting into persons' bloodstreams from dialysis is another issue. Will you never cook in aluminum pans again?
Potassium Alum: KAl(SO4)2 Aluminum Sulfate: Al2(SO4)3 Both compounds contain aluminum. Potassium alum is actually very soluble in water so it can probably be absorbed through the skin. Once it is broken down by the water in sweat, it can probably get back under your skin.
Alum is easily got in India. It is used in homes where they do not have a water filter and they swirl it round in the water and in seconds you see the dirt go to the base of the vessel and all you do then is strain it. Try an Indian grocery store. It you are in London try to get it from Quality super market in Southall as they have everything imaginable Indian product.
Alum refers to a specific chemical of the form ABx(SO4)y ? zH2O where A and B are metals of some type and sometime Aa(SO4)b?Bx(SO4)y?zH2O called mixed sulfate alums' ------------------------- Aluminum sulfate is: Al2(SO4)3 Potassium alum has the formula KAl(SO4)2 ? 12H2O so the two are quite different compounds. According to the MSDS this compound is non-hazardous ref: msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/AL/aluminium_p...
