Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) Certification Practice Exam

What is the most common way that hazardous materials, including asbestos, enter the body?

1. Ingestion

2. Inhalation

3. Absorption

4. Injection

The correct answer is: Inhalation

Inhalation is the primary pathway for hazardous materials, including asbestos, to enter the body due to the nature of how asbestos fibers are typically encountered in occupational and environmental settings. When materials containing asbestos are disturbed, they can release tiny fibers into the air. These fibers are small enough to be inhaled deeply into the lungs. Once inhaled, asbestos fibers can remain in lung tissue for long periods, leading to various serious health issues such as asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma. While ingestion, absorption, and injection are also potential routes for hazardous substances to enter the body, they are much less common for asbestos exposure specifically. Ingestion typically occurs through contaminated food or water, absorption occurs through the skin, and injection involves needles or similar devices. As such, inhalation remains the most relevant and significant route of exposure when it comes to asbestos and many other airborne hazardous materials.