What heavy metal can exist in vapor, liquid and elemental states that produces its toxicity through irreversible inhibition of selenoenzymes?
Mercury; Mercury can exist in three states as mercury vapor, elemental mercury as liquid and inorganic salts and organic compounds. Mercury can enter the body either by inhalation, ingestion and injection. When entered mercury can cause neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, GI disturbances, endocrine imbalance, psychiatric problems, and infertility and may even lead to death.
Manohar KN, Mutya VSS, Irfan IK, Srikanth V (2021) Acute Local Mercury Toxicity Induced by Self Injection: A Rare Occurrence. J Clin Toxicol. 11:468
Submitted by: Dawn Sollee, PharmD, DABAT on behalf of Florida/USVI Poison Information Center – Jacksonville