Routes of Entry for Chemical Toxins

Chemicals can take many forms, as follows:

• Solid
• Liquid
• Dust
• Vapor
• Gas
• Fiber
• Mist
• Fumes

A chemical can change forms. For example, liquids may evaporate into vapor, which is then inhaled. Sometimes it is difficult to detect chemicals as we may not see or smell them. Fumes, vapors, and gases, for example, typically take an invisible form.

There are three main ways in which a chemical can enter the body:

1. Inhalation
2. Absorption
3. Ingestion

The way in which a chemical enters the body will determine two things: the site of physical damage from the chemical and the extent of the potential damage.

The way in which a chemical affects a person depends on a number of factors, as follows:

• The chemical itself
• The duration of exposure
• The amount of chemical related to the exposure
• The frequency of the exposure (long-term versus short-term contact)
• A person's age
• A person's genetic makeup (some people are more susceptible to damage than others)
• A person's general health condition (pregnant women, for example, may be more at risk)

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