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Original Post
Josh C · · Somewhere out West · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 1,116

all 

S Denny · · Aspen, CO · Joined Sep 2008 · Points: 20

just wear gloves... switching to steel would SUCK

Marc H · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2007 · Points: 265

If you're really worried about it, instead of switching to steel, I'd pick up a pair up leather gloves to belay and rappel with.

Studies have shown that aluminum can lead to Alzheimer's.

Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520

If you switched to a steel locker and belay device, it might keep your rope a little cleaner. That would be worthwhile. It's pretty well established that aluminum brake bars on rappelling racks really make ropes black, while the stainless brake bars don't do it as quickly.

I enjoy the weight savings with aluminum and don't care about the black oxide.

DrApnea · · Wenatchee, WA · Joined May 2011 · Points: 265

Climbing is more dangerous for your health than aluminum exposure from the carabiners that save it.

Jeff Johnston · · Bozeman, MT · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 110

Well I might have to switch over to Titanium carabiners then....

Farzin · · San Diego, CA · Joined May 2009 · Points: 85
Marc H wrote: Studies have shown that aluminum can lead to Alzheimer's.
Actually, I have found that using aluminum carabiners have lead to developing AlzClimber's disease. I continually try to convince my wife that I don't remember climbing last weekend so I have to go out this weekend. Is there a cure???
Yonkonian Yonkers · · Fort Collins, CO · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 15

Quit climbing if your scared.

Marc H · · Longmont, CO · Joined May 2007 · Points: 265
Farzin wrote:Is there a cure???
Yup: climb every weekend.
Matt N · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 415

Shit - I'm effed. My 'good' rope has a teflon coated core and sheath, combining my Al dust with teflon. Unless the teflon helps it 'slip through' me.

Farzin · · San Diego, CA · Joined May 2009 · Points: 85
Marc H wrote: Yup: climb every weekend.
That's the only thing that seems to have an effect. Thanks...
JesseT · · Portland, OR · Joined May 2011 · Points: 100
Marc H wrote:...Studies have shown that aluminum can lead to Alzheimer's.
Sort of. Studies have found a correlation between Alzheimers and high levels of aluminum in the brain. Correlation, however, does not imply causation (i.e. does aluminum cause Alzheimers, or does something about Alzheimers cause aluminum to collect that otherwise wouldn't?). Only time will tell.

That said, there is some anecdotal evidence of people who climb a lot being a little spacey. There are definitely other potential causes of that, though.

Is anyone out there an epidemiologist? Here's a freebie: I propose a study to compare the incidence of Alzheimers in climbers by age vs. that of the general population.
Tits McGee · · Boulder, CO · Joined Apr 2008 · Points: 260

Wait...What are we talking about again. I remember being interested, but forgot where I was about half way through.

Kurt Swanson · · Philadelphia, PA · Joined Mar 2010 · Points: 135

I've always wanted to say this....

YER GONNA DIE!!!

Tim Stich · · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,520
JesseT wrote: Sort of. Studies have found a correlation between Alzheimers and high levels of aluminum in the brain.
It's more than likely that people with Alzheimer's start to forget how many aluminum cupcakes they eat each day, and so they overeat. I know I only eat one aluminum cupcake a week with maybe one aluminum carrot serving as well.
Peter Pitocchi · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 70

The good part is you could count every lap as an onsight

Ian Stewart · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2010 · Points: 155

Of all the things for a climber to be worried about, I would have never thought a few aluminum particles would have made the list...

Sam Stephens · · PORTLAND, OR · Joined Jan 2010 · Points: 1,090

They pose huge risks, just ask this guy or my climbing partner Bennett who had the same thing happen.

mountainproject.com/images/…

Murdo · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2008 · Points: 30

use a gri gri. the cam block is steel.

Evan S · · Denver, Co · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 510

If you're not heating or storing your food against it, drinking from cans, or building planes and inhaling a bunch of metal dust all day, you're probably fine.

"The average person cosumes between three and ten milligrams of aluminum a day.
Aluminum toxicity can lead to colic, rickets, gastrointestinal disturbances, poor calcium metabolism, exteme nervousness, anemia, headache, decreased liver and kidney function,
forgetfulness, speech disturbances and memory loss, softening of the bones, and weak
muscles."

Hanna Kroeger card files.

APBT1976 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2011 · Points: 55

Did you all have to mention this.

As it is i try so freaking hard to use my cast iron pan and not my teflon pan. I strike out all the freaking time "dam you sauteed garlic and fried eggs and your sticking" tbh i think about it every dam time.

Not sure but i think my pots and pans are all aluminum? Fuck just Googled it. They are steel copper and aluminum layered together. WTF!!!

Probably a easy solution however it will probably cost another few hundred bucks to fix?

Pretty sure the chances of getting sick from aluminum are zero unless you take a bath in it daily like someone already suggested. I do however feel pretty strong that we are bombarded with things toxic to us all day every day and we are honestly the cause of most of our illness as a society. So taking limiting exposure to this stuff really is worth while.

I'm not gonna quit climbing but i will look into this and may replace my cookware depending? I def try my best to not eat canned food and try my best to consume as little as possible out of plastic packages.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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