contamination

contamination /con·tam·i·na·tion/ (kon-tam″ĭ-na-shun)

1. the soiling or making inferior by contact or mixture.

2. the deposition of radioactive material in any place where it is not desired.

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con·tam·i·na·tion (kn-tm-nshn)

n.

1. The act or process of rendering something harmful or unsuitable.

2. The presence of extraneous, especially infectious, material that renders a substance or preparation impure or harmful.

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Contamination

Passage of an infectious organism, such as a virus, from an infected person to an object such as a needle, which then, when used, may pass infection to another person.

Mentioned in: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis C

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contamination

[-ā′shən]

Etymology: L, contaminare, to pollute

a condition of being soiled, stained, touched, or otherwise exposed to harmful agents, making an object potentially unsafe for use as intended or without barrier techniques. An example is entry of infectious or toxic materials into a previously clean or sterile environment.

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contamination

1. the soiling or making inferior by contact or mixture, as by introduction of infectious organisms into a wound, into water, milk, food or onto the external surface of the body or on bandages and other dressings.

2. the deposition of radioactive material in any place where it is not desired.

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contamination

Pollution by an inferior material Infectious disease Introduction of organisms in a wound. See Cross contamination Public health The presence of any foreign or undesired material in a system–eg, toxic contamination of the ground water in an ecosystem or untreated sewage into a stream Radiation physics The deposition of radioactive material in any place where it is not wanted. See Radioactive contamination.

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Patient discussion about contamination.

Q. I'm concerned that my calcium supplements are contaminated w seashells or cow bones. Which brands are best

A. there should be labeled as "from animal source".
here is something that helped me choose:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/calcium-supplements/AN00964