When assessing the health risks associated with polluted sites and soils or classified facilities, exposure via the skin is generally not taken into account in relation to the so-called main routes (oral and inhalation). Is this always a good idea, or is it sometimes due to a lack of knowledge? Should this route of exposure be taken into account in certain situations? In an attempt to answer these questions, this study included a literature review and feedback from a field survey. Although this work confirms that exposure by the cutaneous route is limited, it is recommended that the most plausible exposure scenarios and the penetration capacities of the substances concerned be identified in order to be able to propose a suitable risk calculation or recommendations. An initial pathway-by-pathway approach may provide an easy answer, but a more global approach based on internal dose is an avenue for development that should be considered.
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