What is the term for unwanted contact with pesticides or pesticide residues by people, other organisms, or the environment?

The term that best describes unwanted contact with pesticides or pesticide residues by people, other organisms, or the environment is exposure. Exposure refers to the state of having come into contact with a hazardous substance, which encompasses various scenarios such as inhaling pesticide vapors, skin contact with residues, or consumption of contaminated food or water.

In the context of pesticide use, understanding exposure is important for assessing the potential health risks to humans and the environment. When evaluating safe handling and application practices, minimizing exposure is a primary goal to protect both human health and the ecological balance.

Contamination, while related, specifically refers to the presence of pesticides in areas or on surfaces where they should not be, but it does not inherently convey the idea of actual contact or interaction. Absorption refers to how substances are taken in by organisms, and dispersal indicates the spread of pesticides in the environment. These terms describe processes or effects but do not encapsulate the broader concept of unwanted contact as effectively as exposure does.