Hazardous Materials

What are hazardous materials?

Solids, liquids or gases that may pose a risk to health and safety of people, property or the environment if not properly controlled during handling, storing, manufacturing, processing, packaging, use, disposal or transportation.

What does HAZMAT stand for?

It is the acronym used to describe substances considered to be hazardous materials.

HAZMAT Classifications:


Class 1 – Explosives
Class 2 – Gases
Class 3 – Flammable Liquids
Class 4 – Flammable Solids
Class 5 – Oxidizing Agents and Organic Peroxides
Class 6 – Toxic and infectious Substances
Class 7 – Radioactive Substances
Class 8 – Corrosive Substances
Class 9 – Miscellaneous Substances

They can also be classified into 3 categories – Biological, Chemical, and Radiological.


Biological Agents:
A biological agent is a virus, bacteria, fungus or biological toxin that can be used in bioterrorism or biological warfare or can even be naturally occurring in the environment. 

Biological agents range from naturally occurring bacteria like anthrax, cholera and the plague to biological toxins like botulinum and ricin.  They can also include viral agents like those that cause equine encephalitis, smallpox or yellow fever. 

A biological attack may be the intentional release of a biological agent with the intent to harm large number of people utilized by terrorists

Chemical Agents:
A chemical agent is a material with a specific chemical composition that can exist in a solid, liquid, or gas form, depending on the temperature.  It can be used in chemical terrorism or chemical warfare.  The means for dispersing the agent will depend on its physical properties (solid, liquid or gas, density, etc.).

Chemical agents can range from everyday chemicals like chlorine or pepper spray to more complex chemicals like cyanide, mustard gas or phosgene gas.

Radiological Agents:
A radiological agent is one that emits radiation, a byproduct of atomic decay.  Radiation is the process in which energy travels or radiates though space in a straight line from its source.  Radiation is used in medicine, industry, energy production, research, and national defense.  Radioactive materials are labeled with a yellow and black trefoil symbol.   Some of these materials can be used by terrorists to create panic and casualties in highly populated areas through the use of an explosive device like a “dirty bomb”.

Actions to take if you suspect that biological, chemical or radiological poisoning has occurred include:

  • If you are inside and the exposure is outside, stay inside, turn off all ventilation and close windows and doors unless you receive orders to evacuate by a public official.
  • If you are inside and the exposure is inside, move to the outside, cover all exposed skin and cover your mouth with a cloth.
  • If you are outside and the exposure is outside, cover your nose and mouth with a cloth and wait for help. If the source of exposure is obvious, move away from it.
  • Monitor radio or television broadcasts closely.
  • Listen for and follow instructions from public health agencies.
  • Call your Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 for treatment or other information.
  • Call 911 if anyone is unconscious or having difficulty breathing.