Question
Howard is working with a cleaning solution that contains sodium hydroxide Although he is using gloves, when he pours the solution to dilute it for cleaning use, he spills a bit on his arm. His arm feels slimy to the touch and now has a burn mark: What is the chemical route of entry? Select the best option. Inhalation Ingestion Injection o
Answer
4.1
(279 Votes)
Jolene
Master · Tutor for 5 years
Answer
Absorption through the skin
Explanation
The scenario describes Howard working with a cleaning solution containing sodium hydroxide, which is a strong base. When he spills some on his arm, his skin feels slimy, and a burn mark appears. This is a classic reaction of skin to a strong base like sodium hydroxide, which can cause chemical burns upon contact. The route of entry for chemicals into the body includes inhalation (breathing in), ingestion (swallowing), injection (through the bloodstream), and absorption through the skin. In this case, since Howard's skin came into direct contact with the chemical, the route of entry is through skin absorption. The sliminess he feels is due to the saponification reaction where the base reacts with the fats in the skin, and the burn mark is indicative of the corrosive nature of sodium hydroxide.