Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Dot gov

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

HTTPS

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Chemicals and Toxics
    • Climate Change
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Environmental Justice
    • Greener Living
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Pesticides
    • Radon
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Guidance
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • EPA Administrator
    • Organization Chart
    • Staff Directory
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Jobs and Internships
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Lab and Research Centers
Related Topics:
  • Emergency Response
Contact Us

Possible Exposure Pathways During Emergencies

The exposure pathway of a hazardous substance is an important consideration in determining emergency response actions. An exposure pathway refers to the way a person can come into contact with a hazardous substance. There are three basic exposure pathways: inhalation, ingestion, or direct contact. The degree or extent of exposure is determined by measuring the amount of the hazardous substance at the point of contact. Health and ecological hazards can result from such exposures. Common ways in which people can become exposed to hazardous substances include:

  • Groundwater and Surface Water: Exposure will occur if people drink contaminated groundwater or surface water, accidentally ingest it while swimming, or if it comes into contact with their skin (e.g., in the shower, while swimming, etc.).
  • Soil, Sediment, Dust: People will be exposed to hazardous substances in soil, sediment, or dust if they accidentally ingest it (e.g., the contaminants land on their food), if they breathe it in (especially dust), or if their skin comes into direct contact. Because of their play habits, children are highly susceptible to exposure through these pathways.
  • Air: When the hazardous substance takes the form of vapors or is absorbed by particulate matter, the simple act of breathing can expose people. In some cases, a person's skin can absorb a hazardous substance in vapor form, although inhalation is considered the greater threat.
  • Food: Eating food that has been contaminated is another common exposure route. In some cases, food found on people's plates may be contaminated as a result of direct exposure to the hazardous substance. In other cases, food contamination can occur further down the food chain. For example, hazardous substances can collect in the fatty tissues of animals that ingest contaminated plants. The contamination can then be transferred to the animals' natural predators, and eventually, to people.
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
United States Environmental Protection Agency

Discover.

  • Accessibility
  • Budget & Performance
  • Contracting
  • EPA www Web Snapshot
  • Grants
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Plain Writing
  • Privacy
  • Privacy and Security Notice

Connect.

  • Data.gov
  • Inspector General
  • Jobs
  • Newsroom
  • Open Government
  • Regulations.gov
  • Subscribe
  • USA.gov
  • White House

Ask.

  • Contact EPA
  • EPA Disclaimers
  • Hotlines
  • FOIA Requests
  • Frequent Questions

Follow.

Last updated on November 15, 2021