Which term describes short-term exposure to pesticides?

The term that describes short-term exposure to pesticides is "acute." Acute exposure typically refers to situations where an individual is exposed to a pesticide for a short period, often resulting in immediate effects or symptoms. This can include instances such as spills, application events, or accidental contact with the pesticide.

In contrast, chronic exposure refers to long-term, repeated exposure over time, which can lead to different health effects that may develop gradually rather than immediately. Severe generally refers to the intensity of effects or symptoms rather than the duration of exposure, and persistent is used to describe substances that remain in the environment or within the organisms for a long time, rather than indicating the duration of exposure. Thus, "acute" is the most accurate term to describe short-term exposure to pesticides.