How should you smell chemicals to minimize exposure?

• A. Hold chemical inches away and fan air across.
• B. Inhale directly from the bottle to test odor.
• C. Open the container and take a deep sniff.
• D. Wave the bottle toward your mouth.

Answer: (A)

Smelling chemicals safely means wafting the odor toward your nose rather than sniffing directly from the container. Hold the container a short distance away from your face and use your hand to gently fan air across the opening so only a small amount of vapor reaches you. This keeps the concentration of fumes low and reduces exposure. Inhaling directly from the bottle, opening it to take a deep sniff, or waving the bottle toward your mouth can deliver a large amount of vapor, increasing the risk of irritation or harm. If you notice a strong odor or feel irritation, stop and follow safety procedures, using proper ventilation and PPE as needed.