Where does aluminum exposure come from?

Aluminum shows up in more everyday places than most people expect. Common sources include aluminum cookware and foil (especially with acidic foods), food additives like baking powder and some processed cheeses, antiperspirants, certain medications, and food packaging. Fluoridated water is worth knowing about specifically, since fluoride can increase how much aluminum the body absorbs and retains, meaning the two exposures can compound each other rather than acting independently. Because aluminum accumulates gradually, consistent low-level exposure from several of these sources at once usually matters more than any single acute exposure.