How does swallowing pesticides typically lead to exposure?

Swallowing pesticides typically leads to exposure by entering the digestive system. When pesticides are ingested, they travel down the esophagus and into the stomach, where they can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the walls of the gastrointestinal tract. This process can result in various health effects, depending on the specific chemicals involved and their toxicity levels. Understanding this route of exposure is crucial for risk assessment and safety management in pest control practices. Alternative pathways for exposure, such as skin absorption, respiratory ingestion, or contact with the eyes, do not apply to the act of swallowing, which directly implicates the digestive system as the route of exposure in this context.