What is defined as unwanted contact with pesticides or pesticide residues?

The term that defines unwanted contact with pesticides or pesticide residues is exposure. This encompasses any situation where individuals or the environment come into contact with pesticides, either through direct application, drift, or residues left on surfaces or in the air. Understanding exposure is critical in pesticide management because it helps focus on minimizing harmful effects on humans, wildlife, or the ecosystem.

Pollution refers more broadly to the introduction of contaminants into the environment, which can include pesticides, but is not specifically limited to the unwanted contact aspect. Contamination relates to the presence of pesticide residues in an area but does not strictly describe the act or condition of coming into contact with those residues. Absorption is a process that occurs when a pesticide enters an organism's body, but it does not encompass the wider definition of unwanted contact, making exposure the most encompassing term in this context.