Which term describes a substance that poses risk to health, safety, and the environment and has had all useful characteristics depleted?

• A. Hazardous Material
• B. Hazardous Waste
• C. Health Care
• D. Full Containment

Answer: (B)

Hazardous waste is the term for a substance that poses risk to health, safety, and the environment and has had all useful characteristics depleted. When a material can no longer be used for its intended purpose and still retains hazardous properties (toxicity, ignitability, corrosivity, or reactivity), it becomes waste that must be managed and disposed of under hazardous-waste regulations. A hazardous material describes a dangerous substance in its usable form, not necessarily waste after use. Health care is unrelated to waste classification, and full containment refers to a control measure rather than a waste type.