[Various factors influencing toxicity and metabolism of metals--metal-metal interactions and host factors (author's transl)].

This paper is a brief overview on metal-metal interactions and various other factors involved in the toxicity and metabolism of metals, including host factors, nutrition, habits, etc. Humans and other organisms are exposed to various metals in many ways, and even in an occupation in which workers are exposed to a metal such as lead, they are at the same time also exposed to other metals, although concentrations of these latter metals are usually not very high. This can result in effects different from those produced by a single metal by itself. Furthermore, individual differences which are caused by genetic, nutritional, hormonal, habitual, and many other factors may alter the toxic or metabolic effects of a single metal. Information on this subject is rather limited. This paper is a brief introduction to the importance of future studies on the topic, and the author hopes that it will stimulate more studies by those who are interested in the field of metal toxicology.