This book re-evaluates epidemiological and occupational health studies, experimental studies in animals and in vitro experiments relating to the toxicity of 27 metal and metalloid elements for which evidence of carcinogenicity has been presented. Human carcinogenic risk is substantiated in relation to arsenic, beryllium, thorium, chromium, radioactive elements, probably lead, and some nickel and cobalt compounds, and respirable silica particles, but the carcinogenicity of iron, aluminium, titanium, tungsten, antimony, bismuth, mercury, precious metals, and certain related compounds in humans is unresolved. The toxicity and carcinogenicity of each element is specific but correlates poorly with its position in the Periodic Table. Carcinogenicity differs according to the valency of the ion and its ability to interact with and penetrate membranes in target cells and to bind, denature or induce mutations by genotoxic or epigenetic mechanisms.

Introduction; Criteria and Classification of Metals and Metalloid Elements as Carcinogens; Interaction between elements in carcinogenesis; Arsenic, antimony and bismuth; Chromium, nickel, cobalt, tungsten and the hard metal complexes; Beryllium; Aluminium and zirconium; Zinc, cadmium and mercury; Lead; Iron; Precious metals, Silver, Gold and Platinum-related metals; Miscellaneous metals and metalloid elements; Mechanisms and modes of action in metal-related carcinogenesis; Discussion and Conclusions