← Occupational toxicology & industrial hygiene

Heavy metals: mercury and arsenic

Occupational mercury and arsenic toxicology. Mercury: chemical forms (elemental vapor, inorganic salts, methylmercury), neurological effects (tremor, erethism), nephrotoxicity, biomarkers, chelation. Arsenic: occupational exposure (smelting, semiconductor), dermatologic findings (hyperkeratosis, Mees lines), peripheral neuropathy, and arsenic-related cancers.

Which of the following statements correctly contrasts the route-specific absorption kinetics of elemental mercury vapor and methylmercury?

A.Elemental mercury is absorbed at 100% via ingestion and 2% via inhalation.

B.Methylmercury has poor gastrointestinal absorption but very high dermal absorption.

C.Elemental mercury vapor has high inhalation absorption (~80%) and negligible GI absorption.

D.Both elemental and methylmercury are absorbed at >95% regardless of the route of entry.