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Hazardous Materials - Definitions

Hazardous materials are those that "could cause injury or death; or damage or pollute land, air, or water." Hazardous wastes are defined as substances that are ignitable (flammable), corrosive, toxic, explosive, or reactive, i.e., react with air, water, or acids or bases. Specific definitions are found in the Code of Federal Regulations: 40CFR part 261. These are summarized below.

Ignitable: This category contains materials that are easily combustible or flammable. This includes liquids that have a flash point less than 60C (140F), and non-liquids that are capable, under standard temperature and pressure, of causing fire through friction, absorption of moisture, or spontaneous chemical change and when ignited burn so vigorously and persistently that they create a hazard, and any ignitable compressed gas described in 40 CFR 173.300. Examples are solvents and spent solvents (acetone, benzene, ethyl acetate, ethyl ether, methanol, methyl isobutyl ketone, xylene); ignitable paint waste (some paint removers, brush cleaners, and stripping agents; epoxy resins and adhesives (epoxies, rubber cements and marine glues); inks containing flammable solvents, and some degreasers. For additional information see 40 CFR 261.21.

Corrosive: This category includes acids and bases or mixtures having a pH less than or equal to 2 or greater than or equal to 12.5, and materials that burn the skin or dissolve metals. Examples are strong mineral acids (chromic, sulfuric, hydrochloric, or nitric) strong alkalis (potassium hydroxide), rust removers, and acid or alkaline cleaning fluids. This category also includes solids that when mixed with water form solutions that are strongly acidic or basic (ferric chloride, sodium hydroxide). For additional information see 40 CFR 261.22

Reactive: This category includes materials that are unstable or undergo rapid or violent chemical reaction when exposed to air, water or other material, generate toxic gases or vapors when mixed with water or when exposed to pH conditions between 2 and 12.5 (as in the case with cyanide or sulfide containing materials), forms potentially explosive mixtures with water, are capable of detonation or explosive reaction when heated or subjected to shock. Examples are acetyl chloride, chromic acid, cyanides, hypochlorides, organic peroxides, perchlorates, permanganates, sulfides, some plating materials and bleaches. For additional information see 40 CFR 261.23

Toxic: This category includes heavy metal compounds such as: arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, silver, selenium, etc. Pesticides such as, Aldrin, arsenic pentoxide, arsenic trioxide, cacodylic acid, chlordane, copper cyanides, DDT, Dieldrin, dimethylcarbamoyl chloride, Endrin, Lindane, pentachlorophenol, strychnine, etc.

Pathogenic, Carcinogenic, Infectious, and Etiologic agents: Includes any material that directly cause health problems such as, "a viable microorganism, or its toxin, which causes or may cause disease in humans or animals" (41 CFR 173.134). Infectious waste includes bloodborne pathogens (for example, specimens potentially or known to be positive for hepatitis or AIDS viruses). For a more detailed definition see the University of Utah's Biosafety Manual and Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan, available from the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (phone 1-6590).

Sharps: Sharps are defined as any non-contaminated sharp object that can penetrate the skin, including, but not limited to: broken capillary tubes and pipettes, blades from power tools, glass microscope slides and cover plates, and hypodermic and non-hypodermic needles.
There may be other hazardous substance that are not included here. It is your responsibility to determine if the materials you use are hazardous to human health or the environment. If you have any doubt, tag it for pickup and EHS will dispose of it appropriately.

You can find information about your material by looking at the Material Safety Data Sheet, available from the manufacturer. You should have Material Safety Data Sheets accessible for all substances you utilize.