What defines a hazardous material?

A hazardous material is defined as a substance that can pose an unreasonable risk when mishandled. This definition encompasses a wide array of materials that, under certain conditions or situations, can cause harm to human health, safety, or the environment. The crucial factor here is the potential for danger depending on how the material is managed, stored, and transported.

For example, everyday substances like household cleaners can be considered hazardous if they are improperly stored or mixed with other chemicals, leading to dangerous reactions or toxic vapors. The emphasis is placed on the risk associated with the material rather than its intrinsic properties. This definition aligns with regulatory frameworks that identify materials needing specific precautions to ensure safety when dealing with them.

In contrast, a substance posing minimal risk to health or a material that is always safe to transport does not meet the criteria for classification as hazardous because they do not present a significant danger in typical conditions of use. Similarly, while defined safety standards are important for managing hazardous materials, having such standards does not inherently categorize a substance as hazardous. The focus must remain on the risk involved when the material is mishandled.