What is the term for the process by which people, animals, the environment, and equipment come into contact with a hazardous material?

The term that describes the process by which people, animals, the environment, and equipment come into contact with a hazardous material is exposure. Exposure refers specifically to the direct interaction or contact with hazardous substances, which can occur through various pathways such as inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. This process is critical in understanding the risks associated with hazardous materials, as it indicates the potential for harm or adverse effects arising from that contact.

In contrast, contamination typically refers to the state where a hazardous material has inadvertently come into contact with a substance or surface, leading to pollution of that area or material. While both exposure and contamination are related concepts, exposure captures the act of contact itself, whereas contamination focuses on the resultant condition.

Infiltration usually pertains to the movement of liquids or gases into a substance, such as water seepage into soil, and does not specifically denote the interaction with hazardous materials. Pollution is a broader term that refers to the introduction of contaminants into the natural environment, but it does not specifically address the contact process. Thus, exposure is the most accurate term to describe the direct contact with hazardous materials.