The effects of inhaling dangerous fumes or gases _______________.

• A. Always occur immediately after exposure
• B. Can occur immediately after exposure, or can occur years later
• C. Can result in some unpleasant symptoms, but not death
• D. Can never be effectively reduced with ventilation

Answer: (B)

Inhalation hazards from dangerous fumes or gases can affect you right away or show up much later, depending on the substance, how much you’re exposed to, how long, and your own sensitivity. Some fumes irritate airways and lungs quickly—causing coughing, throat irritation, chest tightness, dizziness, or nausea within minutes to hours. Others have effects that accumulate over time, with problems like certain cancers or chronic lung disease not appearing until years after exposure. Ventilation helps by diluting and removing fumes from the breathing zone, reducing the dose and the risk, so it’s not true that ventilation can never reduce these hazards.