What is the term for the process by which living beings and the environment come into contact with a hazardous material?

The term that accurately defines the process by which living beings and the environment come into contact with a hazardous material is "exposure." Exposure encompasses a variety of scenarios where an organism, whether human, animal, or plant, encounters a hazardous substance, which can lead to the potential for adverse effects on health or the environment. This concept is crucial in assessing risk and understanding how chemicals can impact life forms and ecological systems.

The other choices identify related concepts but do not specifically capture the essence of the interaction with hazardous materials in the same comprehensive manner. "Interaction" typically refers to the way different entities influence one another but lacks the focus on hazardous materials. "Contact" is a more general term that does not imply the health implications tied specifically to hazardous substances. "Infiltration" often relates to the movement of substances through barriers, like soil or water, and does not adequately address the connection with living organisms.