As one of many tasks of an analytical chemistry program sponsored by the office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, Field Studies Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (EPA Prime Contract No. 68-02-3938), Midwest Research Institute (MRI) prepared these summaries of the mammalian toxicology of 52 individual elements (metals and metalloids) and the lanthanides (rare earth elements). MRI is assisting the EPA in developing protocols for the monitoring of selected metals and organic compounds in the blood of the general U.S. population. The monitoring will enable evaluation of changes in the blood levels over time and any trends associated with instituted control measures. This review will help EPA select the metals to be included in the monitoring effort based on toxicity, relative exposure, and the ability of blood measurements to reflect exposure.

This document is the result of a conference on "Biological Monitoring of Metals" held in Rochester, June 2-6, 1986, organized jointly by the Environmental Health Sciences Center of the School of Medicine and Dentistry of the University of Rochester, NY, and the Scientific Committee on the Toxicology of Metals within the International Commission on Occupational Health (ICOH) at the Karolinska Institute and the National (Swedish) Institute of Environmental Medicine and the University of Umea, Sweden. The aim of the Conference was to define and evaluate the scientific basis for the biological monitoring of metals. The conference was co-sponsored by the World Health Organization through its International Program on Chemical Safety and received substantial encouragement and support from the Swedish Work Environmental Fund and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This was the second conference organized jointly by the Scientific Committee on the Toxicology of Metals and The Toxicology Division of the University of Rochester. The previous joint conference was held in 1982 on the Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Metals. In addition, conferences have been organized by each group (see Appendices A and B). Several of these conferences are specially relevant to the topic of the current conference. These include the joint conference mentioned above and the conferences on dose-effect and dose-response relationship held in Tokyo in 1974 and on accumulation of metals held in Buenos Aires in 1972.

This companion volume to Biological Monitoring of Exposure to Chemicals: Organic Compounds presents recent results from both field and laboratory studies investigating the presence of metals and organometallic compounds in biological media. A distinguished list of contributors describe studies which assess the extent of human exposure to metals, and recount fundamental studies at the molecular level, such as investigation of immunotoxicological effects of the interaction of metals during absorption and biological transformation. There is also a study of the biological monitoring of environmental contamination that demonstrates how biological samples determine the transport and fate of metals in the environment.

Handbook on the Toxicology of Metals, Fifth Edition, Volume I: General Considerations is the first volume of a two-volume work that gives an overview and covers topics of general importance including reviews of various health effects of trace metals. The book emphasizes toxic effects in humans, along with discussions on the toxic effects of animals and biological systems in vitro when relevant. The book has been systematically updated with the latest studies and advances in technology and contains several new chapters. As a multidisciplinary resource that integrates both human and environmental toxicology, the book is a comprehensive and valuable reference for toxicologists, physicians, pharmacologists, and environmental scientists in the fields of environmental, occupational and public health. Contains peer-reviewed chapters that deal with the effects of metallic elements and their compounds on biological systems Includes information on sources, transport and the transformation of metals in the environment Covers the ecological effects of metals to provide a basis for better understanding of the potential for adverse effects on human health Provides critical information on the properties, use, biological monitoring, dose-response relationships, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of metallic elements and compounds

The National Human Monitoring Program (NHMP) identifies concentrations of specific chemicals in human tissues, including toxicologic testing and risk assessment determinations. This volume evaluates the current activities of the NHMP; identifies important scientific, technical, and programmatic issues; and makes recommendations regarding the design of the program and use of its products.

A source of medical, legal and regulatory information on the toxicology of human exposure to metals and chemicals, this three-volume set is designed to be the first resource professionals turn to when formulating an opinion and developing a programme. It is annually updated to provide the latest information on over 150 chemical agents in a standar

This supplement contains the papers submitted at EUROTOX 88, the joint Congress of the European Society of Toxicology and the Federation of the European Societies of Toxicology. The theme was one of monitoring and examining the effects of toxic substances in the biological response at the subcellular level. Mechanisms of metal carcinogenicity are discussed as well as the biomonitoring of chemical exposure. Reports are provided on the role of individual differences in man and the effect of risk assessment. Papers appear dealing with the genetic control of drug metabolizing enzymes. The role of metabolism in organic specific toxicity is discussed. Information is included on the toxicological impact of chemicals interfering with the endocrine system as well as on the effects of toxicants on the immune system. Presentations deal with the current status of risk assessment in environmental toxicology.