Heavy metals in the environment and in textiles

The article describes several heavy metals which are the subject of legislation regarding their use and disposal in the environment. The form and properties of the metals are described and their traditional uses are noted. Their uses in the textile industry are outlined, and their toxicity, the laws regulating them and permitted levels in the environment and in textiles are given. The metals described in the article are antimony, cadmium, copper, zinc, lead, mercury, selenium, tin, chromium, nickel, arsenic, aluminium, beryllium, vanadium, manganese, iron and boron.