What is a hazardous substance?

A hazardous substance encompasses a broad range of materials that pose potential risks to health and the environment. The definition under section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) includes various substances that can be harmful, thereby establishing a foundational categorization of hazardous materials in the realm of environmental regulation.

Furthermore, hazardous substances also encompass biological agents that can trigger serious health effects, reflecting the variety of substances that can be deemed hazardous beyond just chemicals. This accounting for biological factors is crucial, as certain pathogens or microbes can present significant health risks.

In addition to those definitions, substances listed as hazardous under the regulations found in 49 CFR 172.101 cover numerous materials that are subject to regulations in transportation and handling, emphasizing the broad spectrum of hazardous materials and their classifications.

Thus, recognizing that hazardous substances can derive from multiple definitions and regulatory frameworks illustrates the importance of a comprehensive understanding of what constitutes a hazardous substance. This consideration leads to the conclusion that all previously mentioned criteria combine to create a thorough definition of hazardous substances.