What is the term for the time it takes for a chemical to move through a protective suit?

The correct term for the time it takes for a chemical to move through a protective suit is indeed "penetration." This concept refers specifically to the process by which a hazardous material breaches or passes through the protective barrier of the suit from the outside to the inside, typically through openings, seams, or imperfections in the material.

Understanding penetration is crucial for responders to assess the effectiveness of personal protective equipment (PPE) in hazardous environments. The rate and efficiency of penetration can vary based on the type of suit material, the chemical properties of the substance, and environmental conditions.

While terms like dilution, absorption, and diffusion relate to different processes involving chemicals, they do not accurately describe the interaction of chemicals with protective suits. Dilution refers to reducing the concentration of a chemical by mixing it with another substance, absorption involves a substance being taken in by a material, and diffusion pertains to the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration. Each of these processes plays a role in chemical exposure and behavior, but they do not specifically focus on the time it takes for chemicals to penetrate protective clothing.