Soluble salts and/or oxides of heavy metals can cause what symptoms?

• A. Headache
• B. Rash
• C. Abrupt and severe gastrointestinal symptoms
• D. Dizziness

Answer: (C)

Soluble salts and oxides of heavy metals cause abrupt and severe gastrointestinal symptoms because, when ingested, their metal ions irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines. That irritation leads quickly to vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea, which are the most characteristic and immediate reactions to acute ingestion of these compounds. While headaches or dizziness can occur with some metal exposures, they’re not the primary, most direct response to ingesting soluble heavy-metal salts, and a skin reaction (rash) isn’t the typical acute effect of ingestion.