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Geochemical Risk Factors for Mental Functioning, Based on the Ontario Longitudinal Study of Aging (LSA) VI. The Effects of Iron on the Associations of Aluminum and Fluoride Water Concentrations and of pH with Mental Functioning, Based on Results Obtained from the LSA and from Death Certificates Mentioning Dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

W.F. Forbes ,
J.F. Gentleman ,
N. Agwani ,
S. Lessard  and
C.A. McAiney
W.F. Forbes
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo and Statistics Canada
J.F. Gentleman
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo and Statistics Canada
N. Agwani
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo and Statistics Canada
S. Lessard
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo and Statistics Canada
C.A. McAiney
Affiliation:
University of Waterloo and Statistics Canada
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Abstract

Previous papers in this series noted a positive association between aluminum water concentrations and a measure of mental impairment, and a negative association between fluoride concentrations and the same measure of mental impairment. The results obtained were qualitatively similar to the corresponding associations obtained from death certificate data that list Alzheimer's disease as the underlying cause of death. In addition, the results were also qualitatively similar to the results obtained in a number of other studies carried out at different times, in different areas and using different outcome measures for the measure of mental impairment. The present study concerns the role of iron concentrations and specifically, whether when taking iron concentrations into account, the previously noted associations involving aluminum are maintained. The results show that this seems to be the case and also suggest that iron can compete with aluminum, and can both increase or decrease the likelihood of showing signs of mental impairment. The results do not indicate consistently that by modifying the methods of water purification, using iron instead of aluminum, the treated water will be less biotoxic, although there could be instances, particularly when the aluminum concentrations are relatively high, when the use of iron compounds is beneficial.

Résumé

Des articles précédents dans la même série ont établi un lien positif entre les concentrations d'aluminium dans l'eau et une mesure de la déficience intellectuelle, ainsi qu'une association négative entre les concentrations de fluorure et la même mesure de la déficience intellectuelle. Les résultats obtenus étaient similaires, qualitativement, aux associations correspondantes établies à partir des données des certificats de décés sur lesquels la maladie d'Alzheimer figurait comme cause antécédente du décés. Les résultats étaient également similaires, du point de vue qualitatif, à ceux obtenus dans le cadre d'un certain nombre d'autres études réalisées à des périodes différentes, des endroits différents et un utilisant différents indicateurs de résultat comme mesure de la déficience intellectuelle. La présente étude examine le rôle de la concentration de fer et, plus précisément, tente de déterminer si les associations mentionnées précédement en regard de l'aluminium persistent lorsqu'on tient compte des concentrations de fer. Les résultats montrent qu'il semble en être ainsi et ils laissent croire également que le fer peut faire concurrence avec l'aluminium et qu'ils peuvent tous deux augmenter ou réduire la vraisemblance de présenter des signes de déficience intellectuelle. Les résultats ne montrent pas, de façon systématique, que léeau traitée sera moins biotoxique si les méthodes de purification étaient modifiées de manière a utiliser du fer plutôt que de l'aluminium; il pourrait toute fois y avoir des cas, en particulier lorsque les concentrations en aluminium sont relativement élevées, où l'utilisation de composés de fer est bénéfique.

Keywords

Déficience intellectuellealuminiumfluorepHferMental ImpairmentAluminumFluoridepHIron
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 16 , Issue 1 , Printemps/Spring 1997 , pp. 142 - 159
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1997

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