What do spills, seepages, and leaks collectively define as?

Spills, seepages, and leaks are collectively defined as releases. This term is widely used in environmental science and safety regulations to describe the unintended discharge of substances, particularly hazardous materials, into the environment. The use of "releases" emphasizes the aspect of unintentional movement of substances from their intended containment, which can vary in scale and impact.

In contrast, while terms such as discharges, accidents, and incidents may describe certain aspects of these events, they do not capture the specific connotation associated with environmental or chemical releases. Discharges typically refer to authorized emissions or releases under controlled conditions. Accidents imply unforeseen occurrences that might result in injury or damage, but they do not specifically address the aspect of material leakage or escape. Incidents are broader and can include events that do not necessarily involve substance release. Therefore, "releases" is the most precise term to encapsulate the nature of spills, seepages, and leaks.