cross-contaminate
Transfer harmful particles
Cross-contaminate means to transfer harmful substances—typically bacteria, allergens, or chemicals—from one thing to another through contact or proximity.
The term appears most often in food safety: Use separate cutting boards for meat and vegetables to avoid cross-contamination.
It extends to any situation where unwanted material spreads between samples or environments: The lab results were invalid because the specimens had cross-contaminated.
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusesSubmicroscopic infectious particles
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
- fungiSpore-reproducing decomposers
spores · biofilm · transmission · spread · colonization · microbiome · vectors · fomites
Complete elimination of microbes
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- sanitationCleanliness for public health
- handwashingCleaning palms with soap
- PPEHazard-shielding work attire
barriers · protocols · decontamination · isolation · containment · aseptic · antiseptic · bleach
Water in underground rock
- runoffExcess water drainage
- leachateLiquid filtered through waste
- soilGround matter for planting
- aquiferGroundwater-bearing geological formation
watershed · agricultural · industrial · pesticides · fertilizers · landfill · seepage · pollutants
Birds raised for food
- seafoodMarine creatures as cuisine
- salmonellaFoodborne bacterial illness
- listeriaFoodborne bacterial infection
- utensilsTools for eating
surfaces · wash · separate · temperature · refrigeration · thawing · marinade · juices
bacteria
Nucleus-free single-celled organisms
- virusesSubmicroscopic infectious particles
- pathogensDisease-causing microorganisms
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
fungi · spores · biofilm · transmission · spread · colonization · microbiome · vectors · fomites · aerosols
sterilization
Complete elimination of microbes
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- sanitationCleanliness for public health
- handwashingCleaning palms with soap
PPE · barriers · protocols · decontamination · isolation · containment · aseptic · antiseptic · bleach · autoclaving
groundwater
Water in underground rock
aquifer · watershed · agricultural · industrial · pesticides · fertilizers · landfill · seepage · pollutants · sediment
poultry
Birds raised for food
- seafoodMarine creatures as cuisine
- salmonellaFoodborne bacterial illness
- listeriaFoodborne bacterial infection
utensils · surfaces · wash · separate · temperature · refrigeration · thawing · marinade · juices · ready-to-eat
specimens
Representative items for examination
reagents · assays · PCR · DNA · sequencing · protocols · gloves · hoods · centrifuge · batch
cross-contaminatesterilize
Eliminate all microorganisms
sanitize · decontaminate · disinfect · purify · clean
cross-contaminateisolate
Separate from others
segregate · quarantine · sequester · compartmentalize · separate
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