ABSTRACT

Common sense tells us that coming in contact with a toxic chemical-touching it, inhaling it, ingesting it-makes us sick. The more contact, the sicker people are likely to get. For example, if a student spills acetone in his organic chemistry class, or if a homeowner spills paint thinner in her garage, those nearest the spill inhale the most fumes, and they are more likely to feel nauseous or dizzy than those at a distance who inhale less fumes. At the same time, some people who are farther away and inhale less fumes may be particularly sensitive and end up feeling just as sick as those nearest the spill.