ABSTRACT
The metals found in our environment are derived from a variety of sources, such as the natural weathering processes of Earth’s crust, mining, soil erosion, industrial discharge, urban runoff, sewage ef«uents, pest or disease control agents applied to plants, air pollution fallout, and a number of other sources (Fargasova 1994). Since the Industrial Revolution, the use of metals has been a mainstay of the economy in many developed countries, particularly the United States. However, with the increase of mining for metal ores, as well as the combustion of coal as an important energy source in many countries, health and exposure risks to workers and the general public have become of increasing concern.
