6–10 Jul 2026
University of the Western Cape
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
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The chemistry of reverse impurity diffusion and food contamination during cooking in three-legged aluminum pots.

7 Jul 2026, 17:20
1h 20m
Great Hall (University of the Western Cape)

Great Hall

University of the Western Cape

Poster Presentation Track A - Physics of Condensed Matter and Materials Poster Session 1

Speaker

Ms Mamly Serero (Mineral Processing and Technology Research Centre, Department of Metallurgy, School of Mining, Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and The Built Environment, University of Johannesburg,)

Description

Artisanal aluminum pots, which are common in Latin America, Asia, and Africa, are commonly made by smelting scrap metal into cooking equipment. Particularly in rural regions where three-legged aluminum pots are often used, the chemical mechanisms involved in reverse impurity diffusion in aluminum cookware have significant implications for food safety. High temperatures and prolonged contact between the food and the pot's surface during cooking might facilitate the transfer of minute metallic contaminants from the aluminum alloy into the meal. The reverse diffusion process is affected by various factors including the composition of the alloy, surface oxidation, and the chemical characteristics of the food being cooked. For instance, foods that are salty or acidic might encourage leaching by weakening protective oxide layers, increasing the chance of contamination. This study evaluated the possible health concerns associated with prolonged exposure to trace metals and investigated the methods by which contaminants permeate in aluminum cookware, with a specific focus on rural area used aluminum three-legged pots. This controlled experimental based research was conducted using quantitative method through collecting secondary data on existing validated peered reviewed articles and literature. The results indicated that although aluminum cookware is cost-effective and long-lasting, its use poses risks regarding food contamination and potential long-term health issues. Tackling these problems necessitates both technological solutions like improved alloy mixtures and protective coatings and initiatives aimed at raising public awareness about safe cooking methods. In conclusion, the study highlights how crucial it is to strike a balance in cookware technologies for rural communities between cultural usefulness, cost, food safety, and sustainability.

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Author

Ms Mamly Serero (Mineral Processing and Technology Research Centre, Department of Metallurgy, School of Mining, Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and The Built Environment, University of Johannesburg,)

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