Which statement about harmful effects of pesticides is false?

• A. The most common form of pesticide injury is by inhalation
• B. Pesticide injuries can be caused by skin contact
• C. Ingestion is possible
• D. Eye irritation can occur

Answer: (A)

Understanding how pesticides harm people involves knowing the common exposure routes. The statement that inhalation is the most common form of pesticide injury isn’t accurate. In real-world exposure, skin contact is by far the most frequent route of injury. Pesticides can irritate or be absorbed through the skin when there are splashes, spills, handling of concentrates, or residues on clothing, making dermal exposure the top risk for most users.

Inhalation injuries do happen, especially during mixing, loading, or when pesticides become aerosols or vapors in poor ventilation, but they are less common than skin exposure. Ingestion is also possible, typically via hand-to-mouth contact or contaminated food or water, and eye irritation can occur from splashes or airborne droplets. So while all these routes can cause harm, dermal exposure is the primary concern, which is why the statement about inhalation being the most common is the false one.