ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a discussion of occupationally significant metals, including the following information: their sources in industry, route of entry and toxicological effects, national exposure standards, techniques for conducting occupational hygiene monitoring and biological monitoring. It discusses the hazardous nature of some metalloids along with metals. Aluminium is found naturally, mostly as a component of feldspar, mica and bauxite. Bauxite was first discovered in the French district of Les Baux in 1821. Arsenic has been seen as the poison of choice in many thriller novels. The major occupational health risk associated with arsenic occurs through the inhalation of dust. The occupational health hazard associated with beryllium compounds arises from toxic vapours that can be emitted. Research suggests that boron is an essential metal, helping maintain the body's level of minerals and hormones that are required for healthy bones. Acute exposure to cadmium shows its effects mostly in the lungs as pulmonary irritation.
