Which of the following is an example of inhalation exposure?

• A. Breathing vapors from solvents.
• B. Skin contact with solvents.
• C. Hand-to-mouth ingestion of contaminated food.
• D. Eye splash.

Answer: (A)

Inhalation exposure means the contaminant enters the body through breathing in air that contains vapors, gases, or aerosols. This route delivers substances to the lungs and can reach the bloodstream quickly because of the lungs’ large surface area and rich blood supply. Breathing vapors from solvents is an inhalation exposure because the solvent evaporates into the air and is then inhaled.

The other scenarios involve different routes: skin contact is dermal exposure, hand-to-mouth ingestion is oral exposure, and an eye splash involves mucous membranes of the eye rather than inhalation. Solvents are often volatile, with enough vapor pressure to form vapors at room temperature, making inhalation a common and important exposure path. Control measures to reduce this exposure include good ventilation, local exhaust, process enclosures, and appropriate respiratory protection when needed.