What is the process of reducing a hazard by applying water to a water-soluble material called?

The process of reducing a hazard by applying water to a water-soluble material is known as dilution. When water is added to a hazardous substance, it can decrease the concentration of that substance, thus reducing its potential for harm. This is particularly effective for substances that are soluble in water, as the water helps to disperse the contaminating agents and lower their hazardous effects.

Dilution is commonly used in emergency response situations to manage spills or leaks of hazardous materials, as it can quickly mitigate the immediate risks posed by these materials. By increasing the volume of a safer medium (water), the overall toxicity or harmful effects of the hazardous substance can be controlled.

In contrast, neutralization involves a chemical reaction between an acid and a base to create a less harmful substance, which is not applicable when simply diluting a soluble material. Dispersal typically refers to spreading a material over a wider area to lessen its impact, and inhibition refers to preventing a chemical reaction or process, neither of which specifically addresses the application of water to reduce hazard levels.