Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Arsenic is a hazardous substance that can penetrate the skin and have detrimental effects on the body. When arsenic comes into contact with the skin, it can be absorbed and lead to various health issues, including skin lesions and systemic toxicity. This ability to penetrate the skin is significant because it highlights the importance of protective measures when handling materials that contain arsenic.

Poison ivy oil, while it can cause a skin reaction, typically does not enter the body in a way that it affects internal organs or causes systemic issues like arsenic. Lead can cause serious health problems, but it primarily does so through ingestion or inhalation rather than direct skin absorption, and carbon monoxide poses different risks primarily through inhalation, affecting respiratory functions rather than through skin contact. This distinction makes arsenic particularly notable as a skin-penetrating toxin among the listed options.