What type of exposure involves short-term effects and is typically over days rather than weeks?

The correct choice reflects the characteristics of exposure that leads to immediate and often intense effects experienced over a short time frame. Acute exposure refers to situations where an individual is exposed to a hazardous substance for a limited duration, typically ranging from a few minutes to several days. This type of exposure often results in rapid onset of symptoms or adverse health effects due to the high concentration of the substance encountered during that time.

Understanding acute exposure is crucial in toxicology as it often represents scenarios in industrial accidents, chemical spills, or significant overexposure during a brief incident. Unlike chronic exposure, which occurs over a longer period and can lead to long-lasting health effects, acute exposure is more about the immediate impact and the body's response to a sudden influx of a toxic agent.

The other types of exposure—like chronic or long-term exposures—are characterized by prolonged periods, which lead to different biological responses and health implications. Short-duration exposure, although similar to acute, is less commonly used in toxicological terminology and can sometimes confuse the concept with specific timelines of acute effects. Thus, acute exposure is the most precise term for the scenario described in the question.