Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What symptoms can result from inhaling zinc compounds?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
zinc group element
Modern version of the periodic table of the elements (printable).
Excessive inhalation of zinc compounds can lead to several toxic manifestations, including fever, excessive salivation, and a cough that may be severe enough to induce vomiting. While these symptoms are distressing, the effects of zinc inhalation are generally not permanent.1
It is important to note that the toxicity of zinc is considered low compared to other members of the zinc group element family, such as cadmium and mercury, which pose significantly higher respiratory and systemic health risks.1