Routes of Exposure

To become harmful, a chemical must first enter or come in contact with your body (called "routes of exposure).  For example, depending on the chemical and the manner in which it is handled, it may enter:

your lungs if you breath in fumes, mists or dust (inhalation)

your skin if liquid or dust touches or spills on you (dermal)

your mouth if you eat after handling chemicals, or if you accidentally swallow a chemical (ingestion)

Now let's discuss the various categories of health hazards in more detail.