The analysis of 238 papers published in the Polish Journal of Environmental Studies concerning investigations on heavy metals conducted in the years 1998-2008 suggests a steadily growing interest in the issue. Investigations on the environmental problems in question are carried out by means of more modern research methods and using the most recent analytical equipment. Research on the role of heavy metals and metalloids in the environment concerned analytical and legal problems. Research on the speciation of metals, their toxicity, accumulation, biomagnification, bioindication, migration, removal, phytoremediation and biomonitoring was conducted. The papers published in the Polish Journal of Environmental Studies were divided according to the range of topics mentioned above. At present, the paper is a review compendium and therefore current and important for every reader.