Inadvertent ingestion exposure in the workplace. Phase 1 Literature review

Little is known about the relative importance of inadvertent ingestion of hazardous substances from work activities. In this report we review the available scientific literature to help understand whether inadvertent ingestion is an important route of exposure and for which agents. Proposals are made for a conceptual model of the processes involved with this type of exposure and for possible exposure metrics to be used for workplace measurement.

This is the first of three reports dealing with inadvertent ingestion exposure in the workplace.

This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.