A poison that can be harmful if inhaled, swallowed, absorbed or introduced into the body is called what?

A poison that can be harmful if inhaled, swallowed, absorbed or introduced into the body is called what?

• A. Asphyxiant
• B. Toxic
• C. Corrosive
• D. Virus

Answer: (B)

A substance that can cause harm through inhalation, ingestion, absorption, or introduction into the body is described as toxic. This term is used for poisons because it covers the multiple ways a chemical can enter and affect the body, not limited to a single route. That breadth is why it’s the best fit here. Think of how exposure can happen: you might breathe it in, swallow it, have it contact and penetrate the skin, or inject it into the body. If it’s dangerous in any of those ways, the substance is toxic. The other terms describe more specific hazards: an asphyxiant mainly disrupts oxygen delivery and is typically discussed in the context of inhalation; a corrosive damages tissues on contact; a virus is a living infectious agent, not a chemical poison.

A substance that can cause harm through inhalation, ingestion, absorption, or introduction into the body is described as toxic. This term is used for poisons because it covers the multiple ways a chemical can enter and affect the body, not limited to a single route. That breadth is why it’s the best fit here.

Think of how exposure can happen: you might breathe it in, swallow it, have it contact and penetrate the skin, or inject it into the body. If it’s dangerous in any of those ways, the substance is toxic.

The other terms describe more specific hazards: an asphyxiant mainly disrupts oxygen delivery and is typically discussed in the context of inhalation; a corrosive damages tissues on contact; a virus is a living infectious agent, not a chemical poison.