ABSTRACT
Out of 106 identified elements, about 80 of them are called metals. These metallic elements can be divided into two groups: those that are essential for survival, such as iron and calcium, and those that are nonessential or toxic, such as cadmium and lead. These toxic metals, unlike some organic substances, are not metabolically degradable and their accumulation in living tissues can cause death or serious health threats. Furthermore, these metals, dissolved in wastewaters and discharged into surface waters, will be concentrated as they travel up the food chain. Eventually, extremely poisonous levels of toxin can migrate to the immediate environment of the public. Metals that seep into groundwaters will contaminate drinking water wells and harm the consumers of that water.
