How Does Workplace Exposure Occur? The Body's Routes of Entry for Chemicals and Biological Agents

The effect of chemicals on our health is determined by how poisonous the chemicals are and how much actually enters or contacts our body. Even supertoxic chemicals cannot hurt us unless they gain entry into our bodies. By identifying the primary routes of entry into the body for a particular product, we can evaluate the adequacy of control measures to minimize exposure via that route.

Key Topics

• Inhalation of dusts, fibers, aerosols, gases, vapors, fumes
• Skin or eye contact, skin absorption
• Injection; high-pressure injection
• Ingestion

Learn from a certified industrial hygienist, biologist and chemist who will answer your questions about occupational health and safety. This series addresses traditional and emerging topics in workplace health and safety.

Nellie Brown is the director of Workplace Health and Safety Programs for both the Outreach Division statewide and for the Buffalo Co-Lab of Cornell University’s ILR School.