The definition of hazardous material is Any material that can cause harm to people or the environment.

The definition of hazardous material is Any material that can cause harm to people or the environment.

• A. A pesticide
• B. A substance that is radioactive
• C. Any material that can cause harm to people or the environment
• D. A material that always ignites

Answer: (C)

Hazardous material definitions focus on potential harm to people or the environment. The correct idea here is that a material is hazardous if it can cause harm, regardless of the specific hazard type. Pesticides are one example of hazardous materials, but they’re not the only kind. A substance being radioactive is indeed hazardous, but that describes only one hazard type and would miss other dangerous materials. A material that always ignites describes flammability, another hazard, but not all hazardous materials are flammable. Therefore, the broad statement that any material that can cause harm to people or the environment is hazardous best captures the concept.

Hazardous material definitions focus on potential harm to people or the environment. The correct idea here is that a material is hazardous if it can cause harm, regardless of the specific hazard type. Pesticides are one example of hazardous materials, but they’re not the only kind. A substance being radioactive is indeed hazardous, but that describes only one hazard type and would miss other dangerous materials. A material that always ignites describes flammability, another hazard, but not all hazardous materials are flammable. Therefore, the broad statement that any material that can cause harm to people or the environment is hazardous best captures the concept.