Oregon Pesticide Practice Test

What is considered the most common form of pesticide exposure?

1. Inhalation

2. Skin contact

3. Ingestion

4. Eye contact

The correct answer is: Skin contact

Skin contact is indeed the most common form of pesticide exposure. This occurs when pesticides come into direct contact with the skin during application, handling, or even when cleaning up spills. Many pesticides can easily penetrate the skin, which makes this route particularly significant for exposure incidents. In various settings, especially in agricultural or landscaping environments, workers may not always wear the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), increasing the risk of skin exposure. Additionally, dermal absorption can lead to various health effects depending on the chemical properties of the pesticide and the duration of contact. Inhalation, while a common route of exposure, tends to be more applicable to scenarios where pesticides are applied as sprays or aerosols, which may not occur as frequently as skin contact situations. Ingestion is less common for pesticides unless there is a significant accident or mishap, such as consuming contaminated food or beverages. Eye contact can also happen, but it typically represents a smaller percentage of overall exposure incidents compared to skin contact.