ABSTRACT
Due to different toxicities of a metal ion species, the International Union for Pure and Applied Chemistry referred to speciation as the chemical form or compound in which an element occurs in a living system or in the environment. The toxicological effect of an administered agent is correlated with the chemical speciation prevailing rather than with the total dose. Scientists and the public have entirely different interpretations of the word “safe,” and the former class is reliant on chemical speciation. Little attention has been paid to regulating metal ion speciation at the international level. However, some international legislation concerning trace elements in the environment is under development. Politicians and regulatory authorities should come forward to stipulate the regulations and legislations to control the speciation of metal ions in our environment. There are few regulations controlling the use and concentrations of metal ions in the environment globally.
