Which statement about reducing exposure to toxic substances is true?

Which statement about reducing exposure to toxic substances is true?

• A. By using non-toxic substitutes
• B. Increasing exposure duration
• C. Using more of the same toxic substance
• D. Ignoring exposure limits

Answer: (A)

Reducing exposure most effectively comes from removing or lowering the hazard at its source. Using a non-toxic substitute achieves this by replacing a hazardous material with something that presents little or no hazard, so workers are less likely to be exposed in the first place. This fits the hierarchy of controls, where substitution is one of the most powerful ways to prevent exposure. The other options would either increase exposure or do nothing to reduce the hazard: longer exposure time raises the dose; using more of the same toxic substance increases risk; and ignoring exposure limits is unsafe and non-compliant.

Reducing exposure most effectively comes from removing or lowering the hazard at its source. Using a non-toxic substitute achieves this by replacing a hazardous material with something that presents little or no hazard, so workers are less likely to be exposed in the first place. This fits the hierarchy of controls, where substitution is one of the most powerful ways to prevent exposure. The other options would either increase exposure or do nothing to reduce the hazard: longer exposure time raises the dose; using more of the same toxic substance increases risk; and ignoring exposure limits is unsafe and non-compliant.