Altistua

Altistua is a Finnish verb meaning to become exposed to or to be subjected to something. It is used to describe situations where a person or a group is brought under the influence or effect of a factor, such as a hazard, a condition, or a stimulus. The verb is commonly found in health, safety, and environmental contexts, but can also refer to exposure to experiences or conditions.

In usage, altistua is intransitive and typically takes an object in the allative form to indicate what one is exposed to, for example säteilylle (to radiation), kemikaaleille (to chemicals), or stressille (to stress). Example constructions include: Henkilö altistui säteilylle työssään. or Potilaat voivat altistua haitallisille kemikaaleille. The phrasing emphasizes undergoing exposure rather than causing it.

The related noun altistus denotes the act or condition of exposure, while the verb altistaa is its causative counterpart meaning to expose someone or something to a factor. Etymologically, altistua derives from the noun altistus, reflecting the change from exposure to the experience of being exposed. The term is part of a broader family describing risk, hazard, and safety concepts.

Notes on nuance: altistua conveys passive or involuntary exposure and is often used in formal, technical, or advisory language. It can also be extended metaphorically to non-physical exposures, such as new environments or influence, though everyday usage may prefer other expressions.