What is the term for coming in contact with a pesticide?

The term for coming in contact with a pesticide is referred to as pesticide exposure. This encompasses any scenario where an individual encounters pesticide chemicals through various routes, which could include inhalation, skin contact, ingestion, or any absorption through different parts of the body. Understanding this term is crucial as it highlights the potential risks associated with pesticide handling and application.

The other terms listed relate to specific aspects of pesticide exposure but do not accurately define the general act of contacting pesticides. Chronic exposure refers to long-term, consistent contact with low levels of a chemical and is concerned with potential cumulative health effects over time. Acute toxicity describes the harmful effects of a substance that appear shortly after exposure, indicating the severity of a reaction rather than the contact itself. Dermal contact specifically denotes when a pesticide interacts with the skin, which is a type of pesticide exposure but does not encompass the breadth of potential contact scenarios. Thus, pesticide exposure is the most appropriate term for describing the initial act of coming into contact with these substances.