People can be exposed to air toxics through three main routes: inhalation, direct contact or ingestion. Air toxics primarily enter the body by breathing them into the lungs (inhalation). They can enter the body through other pathways, too. Air toxics can settle onto nearby soil, crops or water systems. Skin can be exposed by touching surfaces with toxics on them, though this is likely to result in smaller doses of exposure. People may also be exposed by eating food grown in contaminated soil or by drinking contaminated water.
