The paper aims at reviewing recent knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in aluminium poisoning which is often manifested as anaemia, osteopathy and encephalopathy. In order to clarify the mechanisms of aluminium toxicity its metabolism and ways of human exposure are also described. The immunosuppressive effect as well as certain anticarcinogenic effects of aluminium are still insufficiently well known. It is pointed out that different chemical elements can exert a protective action during aluminium poisoning.