[Toxicological assessment of exposure to heavy metals]

The present paper describes the most important pathways of human exposure to heavy metals (food, beverages, and drinking water; heavy metals in suspended matter, dust fall-out, soil and house dust; tobacco smoking; amalgam fillings). In recent years there has been a significant decrease of the concentrations of heavy metals in suspended matter and dust fall-out. The lead levels in food has also decreased. Human exposure to heavy metals can be assessed by means of biological monitoring on an individuals basis. Some principals concerning the toxicological evaluation of metal concentrations in human body fluids and tissues are discussed.