Which hazard involves exposure to a microorganism or its toxin?

Which hazard involves exposure to a microorganism or its toxin?

• A. Etiological hazard
• B. Thermal hazard
• C. Mechanical hazard
• D. Chemical hazard

Answer: (A)

Exposure to a microorganism or its toxin is a biological hazard, specifically etiological. Etiology is the study of the causes of disease, so an etiological hazard covers pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or the toxins they produce that can cause illness. The other types describe risks that are not about living disease-causing agents: thermal hazards involve heat or cold, mechanical hazards come from moving parts or physical injury, and chemical hazards involve hazardous chemicals. So this category is about the cause of disease from microorganisms or their toxins, which is why it’s described as etiological.

Exposure to a microorganism or its toxin is a biological hazard, specifically etiological. Etiology is the study of the causes of disease, so an etiological hazard covers pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or the toxins they produce that can cause illness. The other types describe risks that are not about living disease-causing agents: thermal hazards involve heat or cold, mechanical hazards come from moving parts or physical injury, and chemical hazards involve hazardous chemicals. So this category is about the cause of disease from microorganisms or their toxins, which is why it’s described as etiological.