What Does
Ingestion Mean?
Ingestion refers to the entry of substances into the body through swallowing. Ingestion of substances may result from the swallowing of mucus that has been contaminated through inhalation or when eating, drinking, biting fingernails or smoking. Once contaminants have entered the digestive system, they may be absorbed into the bloodstream through the stomach lining or after entering the small intestine, which results in systemic contamination.
Safeopedia Explains Ingestion
In most instances, ingestion of chemicals is a result of improper adherence to safety precautions. Workers may fail to wash their hands properly after dealing with hazardous substances, and the contaminants present on their skin are transferred to food and drink. In many cases, contamination through ingestion results from respiratory contaminants accumulating in the mucus of the respiratory system. If the mucus is subsequently swallowed, the chemical enters the digestive system. The use of respiratory protection is thus related to the prevention of ingestion of harmful substances as well as their inhalation.