Bioavailability of Trace Elements and Risk Assessment

In the field of medical geology, bioavailability and risk assessments are two important aspects that need serious consideration. The mere presence of a toxic trace element or a species in a specific locality for example, does not necessarily imply a serious health hazard. The nature of the species concerned and the bioavailability of the species are the main factors that influence the impact of an environmental chemical species on human and animal health. The bioaccumulation of the species concerned is an important step in the food chain and the processes controlling it needs to be well understood.