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Background & Objective: Aluminum (Al), the 3rd common element in the earth’s crust has a significant toxin potential for humans. Although the knowledge of Al toxicity has markedly improved in recent years, there is relatively little information regarding the embryotoxic and teratogenic potential of Al. the purpose of this study was to assess the effect of short-term exposure of pregnant mice to Aluminum Chloride on the external organ formation of their fetuses. Materials & Methods: Mature NMRI mice (24-33 g) were used in this study. Day 0 of pregnancy defined as the day in which the vaginal plug was found. Plug-positive mice were randomly divided into size groups. The first, second and 3rd groups of animals were given IP injection of single dose of AlCl3 at 150 mg/kg/day on days 10, 11 and 12 of gestation respectively. Mice in the 3 other groups (Controls) received single injection of 0.3 ml saline on days 10, 11 and 12 respectively. Mice were killed on day 15 of gestation. Live fetuses were weighed and examined for external abnormalities. Results: The fetal body weight was significantly reduced in all Al-treated groups (P<0.05). The proportions of external malformations in 10th, 11th and 12th days treated were 47.0%, 37.0% and 33.1% groups respectively with significantly increase comparing to controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that a single dose of the Al administered to pregnant mice can cause external malformations in their fetuses.

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Background and Objective: Different coagulants including aluminum sulfate (Alum) and Polyaluminum Chloride (PAC) are used for water clarification process and deposition of colloidal particles. The use of coagulants causes some residual aluminum in water. The residual aluminum higher than 0.2 mg/l, has adverse effects on human health and environment. This study was conducted to determine the amount of residual aluminum by applying Polyaluminium chloride and aluminum sulfate for turbidity removal from turbid water. Methods: In this laboratory study, the experiments were run by using synthetic water having low (10-30 NTU), medium (100-130 NTU) and high (200-230 NTU) initial turbidities. Synthetic turbid water was prepared by adding stock kaolin suspension into distilled water. Samples of 1 liter of water were poured on 6 Jars. After adjusting of pH, coagulant was added into each beaker at various doses and agitated at 100 rpm for 30s. The mixing speed was then reduced to 20 rpm and kept for another 15 minutes. The suspensions were left for sedimentation and after 30 minutes of sedimentation, clarified samples were collected from the top of the beakers. Residual turbidity and residual aluminum was measured. The residual turbidity was measured using a Turbidimeter according to Nephlometric method. The residual aluminum was determined by Eriochrome cyanine R method. Results: Residual alminium in low, medium and high turbidities was 0.006 mg/l, 0.05 mg/l and 0.07 mg/l by applying Polyaluminum Chloride and 0.065 mg/l, 0.15 mg/l and 0.22 mg/l by applying alum, respectively. There was a significant correlation between dosage of Alum and Polyaluminum Chloride with residual aluminium (P<0.05). Conclusion: Polyaluminum Chloride due to low sensitivity to pH variation and less residual aluminum in treated water is more suitable than alum coagulant and could be used as a recommended water coagulant.