Indoor Air sciences CSMI Practice Exam

Which of the following exposure routes cannot occur in a flood damaged area?

1. Skin absorption

2. Puncture wound

3. Inhalation

4. Submersion

The correct answer is: Submersion

In a flood-damaged area, submersion is a significant concern, especially when dealing with contaminated water. However, the notion of submersion as an exposure route implies complete immersion in the flooding water. While it is true that people may be in water due to flooding, the term specifically refers to prolonged exposure, which might not occur in the same manner as other routes. On the other hand, skin absorption can happen when floodwater contains harmful substances, and individuals come into contact with these contaminants. Puncture wounds can easily occur in flood-affected areas due to debris, sharp objects, or hazards in the water. Inhalation is also a real risk due to the potential release of hazardous aerosols or mold spores that can be stirred up in flood conditions. Thus, while all these exposure routes are possible in a flood-damaged area, the nature of submersion as a prolonged route does not align with the immediate exposure scenarios characteristic of such situations.