Table of Contents:
- What Is Alum?
- Benefits of Alum
- Historically Used for Medicinal Purposes
- Used to Eliminate Unpleasant Body Odor
- Used to Treat Cracked Heels
- Used to Relieve Itching from Insect Bites
- Used in Various Industries
- Is Alum Dangerous? Can You Really Use It for Water Purification?
- Causes Skin Irritation
- Harmful to the Respiratory System
- Harmful to the Digestive System
- Dangerous to the Nervous System
- Risky for Pregnant Women
- Water Purifier Systems: A Safe and Modern Solution for Clean Water
Water has been an essential part of human life since ancient times. It is one of the four basic necessities, used for drinking, cleaning, cooking, and other daily activities. In the past, when technology wasn’t as advanced as it is today, people didn’t have easy access to modern plumbing systems or UV water purifiers like we do now. To make rainwater or water collected from natural sources clean enough for use, one traditional method was to stir in “alum.”
So, what exactly is alum? Is it safe to use for purifying drinking and household water? And what other benefits does it offer? Let’s explore this substance in more detail.
What Is Alum?
Alum is a type of salt composed of aluminum and sulfate that occurs naturally in various forms, such as potassium alum, soda alum, and ammonium alum. In general, alum is colorless, odorless, shelf-stable at room temperature, slightly acidic in taste, and dissolves easily in water.
Benefits of Alum
- Historically Used for Medicinal Purposes: Alum has been used in the past for medicinal purposes, such as treating wounds, promoting urination, and healing mouth ulcers. Its astringent properties help dry out wounds and promote healing, flush out toxins through urination, and combat bacteria to reduce inflammation and infections in the mouth.
- Used to Eliminate Unpleasant Body Odor: Alum’s astringent properties help inhibit bacterial growth, reduce sweat, and decrease oil production on the skin, which can prevent body odor.
- Used to Treat Cracked Heels: Alum’s astringency helps exfoliate thick, rough skin on the heels, while also moisturizing and softening the skin.
- Used to Relieve Itching from Insect Bites: Alum has cooling properties that reduce itching and swelling from insect bites.
- Used in Various Industries: Alum is used in several industries, including the water purification industry to clarify water, the paper industry to make paper stronger and whiter, the textile industry to help dye adhere to fabric, the leather tanning industry to soften and preserve leather, and the food industry as a preservative.
Is Alum Dangerous? Can You Really Use It for Water Purification?
The type of alum commonly used for water purification is ammonium alum, as it helps clarify water by causing suspended particles to coagulate and settle, leaving the water clearer. However, exposure to aluminum from alum can pose health risks if consumed in large amounts:
- Causes Skin Irritation: Prolonged contact with alum can cause skin irritation, leading to itching, burning, redness, rashes, and inflammation.
- Harmful to the Respiratory System: Inhaling alum particles can irritate the respiratory system, causing symptoms like coughing, sneezing, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness.
- Harmful to the Digestive System: Consuming excessive amounts of alum can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
- Dangerous to the Nervous System: Long-term exposure to aluminum from alum can accumulate in the body, potentially affecting the nervous system and leading to conditions like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
- Risky for Pregnant Women: High levels of aluminum exposure during pregnancy can pose risks to the fetus, leading to complications and increasing the likelihood of birth defects.
Water Purifier Systems: A Safe and Modern Solution for Clean Water
While alum has various benefits, it also carries health risks that shouldn’t be ignored. Therefore, it’s best to use alum cautiously and only when necessary. It is advisable to avoid using alum for water purification altogether and reduce exposure to potential dangers. With today’s advanced water purification technology, such as modern water purifier systems, there’s no need to rely on outdated methods that aren’t 100% safe.
Ensure the safety of your drinking water by using Thailand’s top UV water purifier system from Wells. This system effectively eliminates harmful microorganisms and filters water at the nano level with its 9-stage filtration process. It’s tankless, easy to install, and offers both hot and cold water on demand, ensuring safe and convenient water purification.
Our team of experts is available for consultations and offer comprehensive maintenance services. For more details, contact us at:
Phone: 065-695-6525 or 082-091-5552
LINE OA: @wellsthailand or https://bit.ly/36pYHXp
Email: info@wellsthailand.com
References:
Various Uses of Alum in Industries. Accessed on February 16, 2024, from https://www.rhkchemical.com/17949131/สารพัดประโยชน์ของสารส้มในอุตสาหกรรม
