| radioactive contamination | <radiobiology> Radioactive substance dispersed in material or places where it is undesirable. (16 Dec 1997) |
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| contamination | The soiling or pollution by inferior material, as by the introduction of organisms into a wound or sewage into a stream. Origin: L. Contaminatio from con =together + tangere = to touch (18 Nov 1997) |
| cross contamination | <dentistry> Passing bacteria or viruses indirectly from one patient to another through the use of improper sterilisation procedures, unclean instruments, or recycling of products. (08 Jan 1998) |
| specimen contamination | <microscopy> A change in the specimen caused by the condensation upon it of residual vapours in the microscope under the influence of electron bombardment. (05 Aug 1998) |
| direct contamination | <dentistry> Direct contact with impurities or germs. (for example by a patient sneezing on the assistant.) (08 Jan 1998) |
| equipment contamination | The presence of an infectious agent on instruments, prostheses, or other inanimate articles. (12 Dec 1998) |
| food contamination | The presence in food of harmful, unpalatable, or otherwise objectionable foreign substances, e.g. Chemicals, microorganisms or diluents, before, during, or after processing or storage. (12 Dec 1998) |