ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the more toxic of the most commonly encountered metals, namely lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, zinc and nickel, and the metalloid arsenic. The world’s industrial and pre-industrial civilisations have depended in numerous ways on metal-ore extraction and metal fabrication. Coinage, precious metals, the implements of war and industry—they have all been linked with occupational health hazards since the Bronze and Iron Ages. The extraction, processing, refining, fabrication and widespread use of metals and their salts produce hundreds of situations in which hazardous exposures can occur. Workers in industries where toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, chromium, nickel and zinc are handled must be fully informed of the routes of exposure, the nature of the health hazards and the measures required to prevent hazardous exposure, including respiratory protective equipment and its use and maintenance. Lead is the metal most likely to harm both workers and members of the public.
