Secondary contamination is defined as

• A. Direct physical contact with contaminant
• B. Contact with person or object previously contaminated
• C. Adverse effects to fetus during pregnancy
• D. Absorption of contaminant into clothing

Answer: (B)

Secondary contamination happens when you transfer a contaminant from the original source to a new person or object by contact with something that has already been contaminated. It’s not the initial exposure to the contaminant itself, but the spread of that contaminant after initial contamination has occurred. For example, if a contaminated patient or surface is touched, the contaminant can transfer to your hands or gear, and from there to other surfaces or people, creating new contamination.

That’s why this description fits best: contact with a person or object that was already contaminated. The other ideas describe exposure to the contaminant directly, effects on a fetus, or contaminants being absorbed into clothing—none capture the transfer from an already contaminated source to another recipient.