Hazard (risk) involves two factors: toxicity and exposure. Which of the following pairs correctly identifies these two factors?

Hazard (risk) involves two factors: toxicity and exposure. Which of the following pairs correctly identifies these two factors?

• A. Toxicity and stability
• B. Exposure and flammability
• C. Toxicity and exposure
• D. Toxicity and odor

Answer: (C)

Hazard (risk) comes from two things: how toxic a substance is and how much exposure people or the environment have to it. Toxicity is the inherent potential to cause harm if someone comes into contact with the chemical. Exposure refers to the extent of contact, including concentration, duration, frequency, and the route of entry. So the correct pair is toxicity and exposure because they together determine the overall risk: a highly toxic substance poses greater danger, and greater exposure increases the likelihood and severity of harm. If a chemical is very toxic but exposure is minimal, the risk is low; conversely, a substance with moderate toxicity but widespread or prolonged exposure can pose a high risk. Other terms like stability, flammability, or odor describe different properties (persistence, burning tendency, or sensory characteristics) that don't define the two foundational factors of hazard in this context.

Hazard (risk) comes from two things: how toxic a substance is and how much exposure people or the environment have to it. Toxicity is the inherent potential to cause harm if someone comes into contact with the chemical. Exposure refers to the extent of contact, including concentration, duration, frequency, and the route of entry.

So the correct pair is toxicity and exposure because they together determine the overall risk: a highly toxic substance poses greater danger, and greater exposure increases the likelihood and severity of harm. If a chemical is very toxic but exposure is minimal, the risk is low; conversely, a substance with moderate toxicity but widespread or prolonged exposure can pose a high risk.

Other terms like stability, flammability, or odor describe different properties (persistence, burning tendency, or sensory characteristics) that don't define the two foundational factors of hazard in this context.