Since the introduction of automotive exhaust catalysts in 1984, an intensive discussion started about the emission of platinum group metals and their effect on mankind and the environment. Several platinum compounds are known to be potent sensitizers, even at very small doses. In spite of both the scientific and public interest in this important field, the collection and coordination of scientific research and its conclusions continues to be a lacking. The present results from analytical chemistry, ecology, toxicology and occupational medicine are summarized here. This state of the art indicates the great need for further investigations concerning especially the assessment of emission sources and bioavailability studies for platinum as well as palladium and rhodium.