What are the four main routes through which pesticides can enter the body?

• A. Ingestion, dermal absorption, ocular absorption, and nasal inhalation.
• B. Inhalation, dermal absorption, ingestion, and ocular absorption.
• C. Dermal absorption only.
• D. Inhalation, injection, dermal absorption, and ocular contact.

Answer: (B)

Pesticides can enter the body through four main pathways: by inhaling the substance, through the skin, by swallowing it, or through the eyes. Inhalation occurs when pesticide fumes, aerosols, or mist are breathed in, allowing the compound to reach the lungs and bloodstream. Dermal absorption happens when skin comes into contact with pesticides, with the substance penetrating the skin and entering circulation. Ingestion is a route when pesticides are swallowed, often via hand-to-mouth contact after handling products. Ocular exposure involves pesticides contacting the eyes, where they can irritate tissues and also be absorbed.

The correct option includes all four routes—inhalation, dermal absorption, ingestion, and ocular absorption—because this captures the full range of ways pesticides can enter the body. Other choices miss one or more routes (for example, focusing only on dermal absorption) or include an unlikely route like injection, which isn’t a typical exposure pathway for everyday pesticide use.