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Safety and Health Topics |
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| Toxic Metals |
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In
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Toxic metals, including "heavy metals," are
individual metals and metal compounds that negatively affect people's health.
Some toxic, semi-metallic elements, including arsenic and selenium, are
discussed in this page. In very small amounts, many of these metals are
necessary to support life. However, in larger amounts, they become toxic. They
may build up in biological systems and become a significant health hazard. This
page provides a starting point for technical and regulatory information about
toxic metals.
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Arsenic
Common sources of exposure to higher-than-average levels of arsenic
include near or in hazardous waste sites and areas with high levels
naturally occurring in soil, rocks, and water. Exposure to high levels
of arsenic can cause death. |
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Beryllium
Elemental beryllium has a wide variety of applications. Occupational
exposure most often occurs in mining, extraction, and in the processing
of alloy metals containing beryllium. Beryllium causes lung and skin
disease in 2 to 10 percent of exposed workers. |
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Cadmium
Cadmium is an extremely toxic metal commonly found in industrial
workplaces, particularly where any ore is being processed or smelted.
Several deaths from acute exposure have occurred among welders who have
unsuspectingly welded on cadmium-containing alloys or with
silver solders. |
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Hexavalent Chromium
Calcium chromate, chromium trioxide, lead chromate, strontium chromate,
and zinc chromate are known human carcinogens. An increase in the incidence
of lung cancer has been observed among workers in industries that
produce chromate and manufacture pigments containing chromate. |
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Lead
Occupational exposure to lead is one of the most prevalent overexposures. Industries with high potential exposures
include construction work, most smelter operations, radiator repair
shops, and firing ranges. |
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Mercury
Common sources of mercury exposure include mining, production, and
transportation of mercury, as well as mining and refining of gold and
silver ores. High mercury exposure results in permanent nervous system
and kidney damage. |
Additional Information
The following pages include links to OSHA chemical
sampling information and OSHA methods. Some of the pages also include
information on the exposure risks, exposure limits, and health effects.
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In Focus |
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