Hazardous materials
Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials (pronunciation: /ˈhæzərdəs məˈtɪəriəlz/), often abbreviated as HazMat (pronunciation: /ˈhæzmæt/), are substances that may pose a risk to health, property, or the environment if improperly managed.
Etymology
The term "hazardous" originates from the Middle English word "hazard", which is derived from the Old French "hasard", meaning "chance or risk". The term "material" comes from the Latin "materialis", which pertains to matter or substance.
Related Terms
- Chemical substance: A form of matter having constant chemical composition and characteristic properties.
- Biohazard: Biological substances that pose a threat to the health of living organisms.
- Radioactive material: Materials that emit radiation.
- Toxic waste: Unwanted materials that are harmful or poisonous and cause pollution when disposed of improperly.
- Flammable material: Materials that can ignite easily and burn rapidly.
Classification
Hazardous materials are classified based on their physical and chemical properties. They are divided into nine classes according to the United Nations system:
- Explosives
- Gases
- Flammable Liquids
- Flammable Solids
- Oxidizing Substances
- Toxic and Infectious Substances
- Radioactive Material
- Corrosives
- Miscellaneous Dangerous Goods
Handling and Disposal
The handling and disposal of hazardous materials are regulated by various laws and regulations, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA).
See Also
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hazardous materials
- Wikipedia's article - Hazardous materials
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