Final answer:
Chemicals can enter the body through three main routes of exposure: inhalation, ingestion, and skin or eye contact. To protect yourself, it is important to wear protective gear, avoid touching your face, work in well-ventilated areas, follow proper handling and disposal procedures, and seek medical attention if necessary.
Step-by-step explanation:
Routes of Exposure to Chemicals
In order to cause health problems, chemicals must enter your body. There are three main "routes of exposure," or ways a chemical can get into your body.
- Inhalation: Breathing in chemicals through the nose or mouth. For example, inhaling fumes from cleaning products or industrial gases.
- Ingestion: Swallowing chemicals. This can happen if you eat or drink something contaminated with chemicals.
- Skin or eye contact: Getting chemicals on the skin, or in the eyes. They can damage the skin, or be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream.
To protect yourself from chemical exposure, you can:
- Wear protective clothing, such as gloves, goggles, or masks when handling chemicals.
- Avoid touching your face, eyes, or mouth while working with chemicals to prevent accidental ingestion or contact.
- Work in well-ventilated areas or use breathing apparatus to minimize inhalation of harmful vapors or gases.
- Follow proper handling and disposal procedures as instructed by your teacher or supervisor.
- Immediately wash any skin or eye contact with chemicals with plenty of running water and seek medical attention if necessary.