The process of taking in, as when a sponge takes up water. Chemicals can be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream and then transported to other organs. Chemicals can also be absorbed into the bloodstream after breathing or swallowing. A single exposure to a toxic substance which results in severe biological harm or death. Acute exposures are usually characterized as lasting no longer than a day, as compared to longer, continuing chronic exposure over a period of time.
Chemicals can get in or on food, drink, utensils, cigarettes, or hands where they can be ingested.
After ingestion, chemicals can be absorbed into the blood and distributed throughout the body. Exposure may occur from inhaling contaminants because they can be deposited in the lungs, taken into the blood, or both. A population subgroup that is more likely to be exposed to a chemical, or is more sensitive to the chemical, than is the general population.