Which practice helps prevent inhalation exposure from volatile liquids?

• A. Clean surface, wear gloves and lab coat
• B. Cap flasks containing volatile liquids
• C. Always wear goggles
• D. Use a dustpan and broom to clean up broken glass

Answer: (B)

Volatile liquids readily form vapors that can be inhaled, so reducing vapor release into the air is the key to preventing inhalation exposure. Sealing the container by capping flasks when not actively used prevents much of the evaporation, keeping vapors inside the bottle rather than into the workplace atmosphere. This directly lowers the inhalation risk. While goggles, gloves, and lab coats are important for protecting eyes and skin, they don’t stop vapors from entering breathing air. Cleaning up with a dustpan and broom handles solid debris, not vapor exposure. So, capping flasks containing volatile liquids is the most effective choice for preventing inhalation exposure.