Populations can be exposed to industrial effluents through multiple pathways:
- Drinking Water: Contaminated water sources can lead to direct ingestion of harmful substances. - Food Chain: Pollutants can accumulate in crops and aquatic life, entering the human food chain. - Airborne Particles: Volatile compounds can evaporate into the air, leading to inhalation exposure. - Direct Contact: Industrial workers and residents living near industrial sites might come into direct contact with contaminated water or soil.
