Definition of Exposure Pathway
This is a term used to describe the manner by which hazardous substances or radionuclides released from the source and transported to the exposure media (e.g., soil, sediment, groundwater, indoor air, ambient air, surface water, and food/biota) are available to the organism (humans or ecological receptors) for absorption at the barrier surfaces
This exposure pathway refers to the exposure to released hazardous substances and their constituents at the point of exposure (i.e., location where exposure media [e.g., soil, sediment, surface water, groundwater, or biota] are present) via the dermal route. The migration pathways are identical to the ingestion pathways.
This exposure pathway refers to the exposure to released hazardous substances and their constituents at the point of exposure (i.e., location where exposure media, [e.g., soil, sediment, surface water, ground water, or biota] are present) via the ingestion route.
The released substances and constituents present in groundwater or surface water may be ingested if the ground water is potable and provides sufficient yield, and the receptor well is located downgradient from the source and is hydraulically connected to the contaminated plume. The released substances and constituents may be present in biota if the contaminant or chemical is bioaccumulative (e.g., PCBs, dioxins/furans, PAHs, and certain metals [e.g., antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, mercury, selenium, silver, and thallium).
This exposure pathway refers to the exposure to released hazardous substances and their constituents at the point of exposure (location where the exposure medium [air] is present) via the inhalation route.
The released substances and constituents present in air may be inhaled if the receptor is located downwind from the source.