What is a key indicator that a material is hazardous?

A key indicator that a material is hazardous is the potential it has to cause harm to humans or the environment. This is foundational to understanding hazardous materials, as their classification is primarily based on their adverse effects on health and ecological systems. For a material to be deemed hazardous, it should pose risks such as toxicity, flammability, corrosivity, or reactivity, which can lead to injuries, chronic health conditions, or environmental contamination.

Recognizing that a material has these harmful characteristics allows for appropriate safety measures to be implemented. This principle is crucial in hazardous waste operations, where understanding the nature of materials is essential for safe handling, storage, transport, and disposal. In essence, the impact that these materials can have on living organisms and their surroundings establishes their hazardous classification.