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Exposure paths

Are nanoparticles able to enter our cells?

The identified potential exposures are inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. The size of nanoparticles makes us fear their ability to overcome traditional human and the environmental barriers: cell penetration but this is not the only factor of toxicity.

What are the main ways of exposure?

Inhalation, ingestion and skin contact.

  • the respiratory tract probably mainly via inhalation of aerosol particles dispersed in the ambient air,
  • the digestive tract would be the result of contamination through the food chain, an interaction with the respiratory tract, or a lack of personal hygiene,
  • skin exposure occurs secondarily, but must not be neglected because the possibilities of contacts with particles are numerous (cleaning, maintenance, operations transfer between containers, etc.). The potential for exposure through the blood system in case of injury is not to be excluded.