Types of Chemical Exposures

When working with dangerous chemicals, you should understand the routes chemicals take to enter the body in order to avoid exposure. You should also be familiar with the hazards involved with any chemicals you handle. A material safety data sheet (MSDS) should be available for all hazardous chemicals in the work place, and chemicals in the home have warnings and instructions for use on their labels. Chemicals enter the body by four routes: inhalation, ingestion, absorption and injection.

Inhalation

• Inhalation of hazardous dust, vapors or mists is the most common type of chemical exposure. When you enter a contaminated atmosphere, unprotected breathing brings the hazardous materials into your lungs where they may enter the bloodstream and spread through the body or damage the lungs themselves. Preventive measures include personal respirators and good ventilation of the work area.

Ingestion

• Exposure by injestion can occur when food is contaminated.

  Ingestion is the swallowing or eating of hazardous materials. Accidental ingestion of hazardous materials occurs most often when food or drink has been contaminated or when a hazardous material splashes into or near the mouth. Once ingested, the material may spread via the digestive system to other parts of the body or may damage the digestive system itself. Preventive measures include good hygiene and careful storage of food. Ingestion due to splashes can be prevented by face shields.

Absorption

• Absorption of hazardous materials through the skin or eyes gives the material a route into the muscle tissues and bloodstream where they can spread to the rest of the body or do local damage to the skin, eyes and/or muscle tissues. Preventive measures include safety glasses, safety goggles, gloves, lab coats, aprons and other protective equipment.

Injection

• Syringes are the most common source of accidental injection.

  Injection of hazardous materials is the accidental piercing of the skin with a sharp object containing hazardous materials. The most common source of injection exposure is hypodermic needles, but any contaminated sharp object poses a risk. Injection through the skin gives hazardous chemicals direct access to the bloodstream and from there to the entire body. Preventive measures include diligent care in the handling of sharp objects or animals and wearing gloves and other protective equipment.