cross-contamination, n.
Brit. /ˌkrɒskənˌtamɪˈneɪʃn/, U.S. /ˈˌkrɔskənˌtæməˈneɪʃ(ə)n/, /ˈˌkrɑskənˌtæməˈneɪʃ(ə)n/
[‹ cross- comb. form + contamination n.]
Transfer of a contaminant from a source, specimen, etc., to a different or uncontaminated one.
| 1935 Fitchburg (Mass.) Sentinel 25 Oct. 5/1 To obviate every possibility of cross-contamination and inter-infection as between the various diseases within the building..every known device of a practical nature in construction and technique has been adopted. 1963 Jrnl. Ecol. 51 207 Great care was taken to site the experimental area and orientate it so that the plots fitted into the microtopography of the ground as far as possible, thus avoiding serious cross-contamination. 1999 C. Mendelson Home Comforts ix. 104/1 Clean up kitchen spills, wherever they are, immediately... Otherwise they are harder to clean up, can cause accidents, and can cause cross-contamination of foods. |