Quick Take
A social media post claims that cooking in aluminium utensils can cause cancer, asthma, and TB. We fact checked this claim and found it to be false.
The Claim
An Instagram post by “healthdoj” states: “As long as you are alive, stop cooking and eating in aluminium utensils. You will not have asthma, you will not have TB, you will not have cancer, you will not have kidney failure. The cause of all our diseases is aluminium, (made of pressure cooker and kadhai).”
Fact Check
Does cooking in aluminium utensils cause cancer?
No, it does not. Aluminium is a common metal used in cookware because it’s lightweight and conducts heat well. When cooking, a small amount of aluminium can leach into food, especially with acidic ingredients like tomatoes or vinegar. However, the amount is minimal—usually less than 1 mg per meal. Even if you cook three meals a day in aluminium utensils, that’s about 3 mg per day, or 21 mg per week. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have set a provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) for aluminium at 2 mg per kg of body weight. For a 70 kg person, that’s 140 mg per week, which averages to about 20 mg per day. The 21 mg per week from cookware is only a small fraction of the safe weekly limit of 140 mg—nowhere near enough to cause harm. Cancer Research UK has reviewed studies on aluminium exposure and found no clear connection between using aluminium cookware and cancer risk. The claim that aluminium use can cause cancer is not supported by science.
Dr Manish Singhal, Senior Oncologist at Apollo Hospital, Delhi, supports our findings by stating, “The idea that aluminium utensils cause cancer is not true. Cooking in aluminium does not result in significant leaching of the metal into food under typical conditions, such as at normal cooking temperatures. The WHO expert committee has established a safe weekly limit of 2 mg of aluminium per kg of body weight, which averages to about 0.3 mg per kg per day—far more than what you’d get from cookware. Additionally, aluminium occurs naturally in many foods, including meats, without posing a health risk.”
Can aluminium utensils cause asthma?
No, cooking in aluminium utensils does not cause asthma. Asthma is usually triggered by allergens, pollution, or genetics, not by metals like aluminium. There is no evidence linking the small amount of aluminium that might leach into food with respiratory problems.
We spoke with Dr Sarthak Rastogi, Pulmonologist at Jaslok Hospital and Research Center, Mumbai, to understand what can trigger asthma. He explained, “Asthma can start even before birth due to genetics and the mother’s health during pregnancy. If the mother is malnourished, doesn’t gain enough weight, or consumes too much sugar, it can raise the child’s risk. Low vitamin D, nutrient deficiencies, and poorly controlled asthma in the mother can also increase this risk. Complications like eclampsia may play a role too.”
After birth, certain factors may further increase the risk. According to Dr Rastogi, “Premature delivery, exposure to smoke, repeated infections, and mould in the home are key triggers. Mould releases spores that cause allergies and may lead to asthma. Cockroach allergens, pets (like cats and birds), and air pollution can also raise the risk.”
He also highlighted lifestyle factors, saying, “Obesity, especially in children, and smoking can increase asthma risk. Even living near highways or activities like baking may make asthma more likely due to exposure to allergens and pollutants.”
Some studies suggest that occupational exposure to aluminium, like welding, may trigger asthma in certain workers, but the evidence remains limited.
A 2023 study found a possible link between aluminium in vaccines and asthma in children, but it did not prove this. The authors said the results are uncertain because the study didn’t consider key factors like family history of asthma, secondhand smoke, diet, or the child’s environment. Experts advise parents to stick to the recommended vaccine schedule, as it protects kids from serious diseases.
Does aluminium from cookware lead to tuberculosis (TB)?
No, it does not. Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, typically spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It has nothing to do with aluminium exposure. Cooking in aluminium utensils cannot cause TB, as the disease is unrelated to dietary or cookware factors.
Can aluminium utensils cause kidney failure?
No, not for most people. Aluminium can be a concern for individuals with pre-existing kidney problems because their bodies may struggle to filter it out, potentially leading to a build-up. However, for healthy individuals, the kidneys can easily handle the small amounts of aluminium from cookware, excreting it through urine. The UK’s Food Standards Agency confirms that the aluminium leached from cookware is not a significant health risk for the general population.
Is aluminium the cause of all our diseases?
No, it is not. Diseases have varied causes—genetics, infections, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures, to name a few. While excessive aluminium exposure (e.g., in industrial settings like mining) can pose health risks, the small amounts from cookware are not a major concern.
On a related note, some also claim that wrapping aluminium foil around body parts can relieve pain—but this, too, is false.
THIP Media Take
The claim that cooking in aluminium utensils can cause cancer, asthma, and TB is false. While small amounts of aluminium may leach into food during cooking, global health authorities, including the WHO, confirm that these levels remain well within safe limits for healthy individuals. For those concerned, using stainless steel or cast iron cookware, especially for acidic foods, is an option, but aluminium utensils are generally considered safe for daily use.
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