Question

What four categories are used to define hazardous chemicals?

Short answer

The four categories used to define hazardous chemicals are Physical Hazards, Health Hazards, Environmental Hazards, and Undefined Hazards.

Step-by-step solution

Physical Hazards

Physical hazards are based on the physical or chemical properties of the substance, like flammability, reactivity, or corrosion.

Health Hazards

Health hazards are those that pose risks related to an individual's health, such as carcinogenicity, toxicity, or propensity to cause irritation or sensitization.

Environmental Hazards

Environmental hazards refer to substances that pose a threat to the environment, such as ones that are hazardous to aquatic life or that deplete the ozone.

Undefined Hazards

Undefined hazards are chemicals that don't fall under any of the aforementioned categories but still pose a hazard. They generally represent the unknown and need special handling.