ABSTRACT

It is the intention of the authors to present an overview of the health hazards posed to humans by metals and metal compounds present in the environment, as well as to delineate the benefits attributable to those essential for the organism. Particular focus is directed to the endogenous and exogenous interaction of metals with the skin, an interactive, semipermeable membrane that is well designed to moderate or inhibit penetration of xenobiotics and, to a large extent, is also involved in homeostasis of essential elements. Of the 80 metals and metalloids in the periodic table, only those for which significant relevant literature was retrievable and those that are nuclear-stable have been reviewed.