What is the quickest and most direct route into the body for pesticides?

Inhalation is recognized as the quickest and most direct route for pesticides to enter the body. When pesticides are inhaled, they can rapidly enter the bloodstream via the lungs, bypassing the digestive system and skin barriers. This method of entry is particularly concerning because the lungs have a large surface area and are designed for gas exchange, which allows substances, including harmful chemicals, to be absorbed efficiently and quickly.

Oral ingestion, while also a significant route of exposure, involves the compounds being processed through the digestive system, which can delay absorption. Skin contact can lead to absorption but often requires time and certain conditions for penetration, making it a slower route compared to inhalation. Eye contact can lead to exposure as well, but it is typically less direct than inhalation, since the eye's mucous membranes do not provide as rapid an entry as the respiratory system. Thus, inhalation stands out as the most immediate pathway for pesticides to affect the body.