Asbestos Contractor/Supervisor Practice Exam

How does asbestos enter the body?

1. Ingestion

2. Inhalation

3. Absorption through skin

4. Injection

The correct answer is: Inhalation

Asbestos primarily enters the body through inhalation. When asbestos fibers are disturbed, they can become airborne and are small enough to be inhaled deeply into the lungs. This is where they pose the greatest health risk, as they can cause serious respiratory diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. Inhalation is considered the most common route of exposure because the fibers can linger in the air for long periods, making it easy for them to be inhaled, especially in environments where asbestos materials are present. Once inhaled, the fibers can embed themselves within lung tissue and remain there for years, leading to chronic inflammation and eventual disease development. While ingestion, skin absorption, and injection are routes through which certain substances can enter the body, studies indicate that ingestion of asbestos is far less common and poses a lower risk compared to inhalation. Similarly, skin absorption is limited due to the nature of asbestos fibers, and injection is not a typical method of exposure for asbestos. Therefore, inhalation is the most critical pathway for asbestos exposure and associated health risks.