Pesticides enter the body most often by which route?

Study for the Ontario Pesticide Training and Certification CORE Test. Prepare with multiple-choice questions, get hints and explanations. Ensure readiness for your certification!

Pesticides most often enter the body through the skin because workers are constantly handling treated materials and are exposed to residues on hands, gloves, clothing, and surfaces. The skin is large and, even with precautions, small amounts can be absorbed, especially when the skin is wet, damaged, or exposed to more permeable formulations. In typical field situations, dermal exposure delivers more of the absorbed dose than inhalation, ingestion, or injection. Inhalation can contribute during spraying or spills, but it generally results in less overall absorption than skin contact. Ingestion can occur from hand-to-mouth transfer or contaminated food or drink, but it’s usually a smaller route unless hygiene is poor. Injection is rare and would require a puncture with a contaminated object.

Protecting against dermal exposure is most effective with proper PPE—gloves, protective clothing, and footwear—and by washing skin promptly after handling pesticides and changing contaminated clothing.