Although quite useful, mercury is also poisonous and can contaminate the environment if it is not disposed of properly. It is absorbed by the body through vapors. Methyl mercury is a common form of organic mercury. These forms of mercury are soluble in lipids and cross the blood brain barrier and placenta easily. Organic mercury is absorbed through the digestive tract and also through vapors.
Mercury salts are one kind of inorganic mercury.
Inorganic mercury is usually a white powder or crystals. This form of mercury has been used in medicines. Mercuric nitrate was used by the felt-hat industry in the process of curing felt. Different types of mercury affect people in different ways. Organic mercury is more dangerous than inorganic mercury, but many inorganic mercury compounds can be converted to the organic type.