What is defined as exposure when a contaminated object breaks the skin, leaving the contaminant beneath the surface?

What is defined as exposure when a contaminated object breaks the skin, leaving the contaminant beneath the surface?

• A. Injection
• B. Inhalation
• C. Ingestion
• D. Dermal absorption

Answer: (A)

When a contaminated object breaks the skin, the contaminant is delivered directly beneath the surface into tissue or the bloodstream. This direct entry through a puncture is what we call an injection route of exposure. Inhalation means breathing contaminants into the lungs, ingestion means swallowing them, and dermal absorption refers to uptake through the skin from contact (usually through surface exposure; a puncture is a different mechanism). So the scenario described matches injection—the contaminant is introduced under the skin via a break in the surface.

When a contaminated object breaks the skin, the contaminant is delivered directly beneath the surface into tissue or the bloodstream. This direct entry through a puncture is what we call an injection route of exposure. Inhalation means breathing contaminants into the lungs, ingestion means swallowing them, and dermal absorption refers to uptake through the skin from contact (usually through surface exposure; a puncture is a different mechanism). So the scenario described matches injection—the contaminant is introduced under the skin via a break in the surface.