Metabolic studies as a basis for the interpretation of metal toxicity

The toxicity of metal compounds has traditionally been regarded as a function of dose and potency of the metal itself. In recent years, however, it has become clear that several metals and metalloids undergo transformations in mammalian tissues and that metabolism may have important implications in clinical pharmacology, toxicology, and environmental health. In this paper, data obtained from recent metabolic studies are reviewed as a basis for the interpretation of biological effects and kinetic patterns of metals of major importance as environmental pollutants.