What are hazardous materials?

Hazardous materials are defined as substances that pose a potential risk to human health, safety, or the environment if they are released or improperly managed. These materials can be toxic, flammable, reactive, or corrosive, which means that they have the potential to cause harm in various ways, such as causing injury, disease, or environmental damage.

Understanding that hazardous materials can lead to serious consequences is crucial, particularly in correctional facilities where safety and security are of utmost importance. Recognizing these substances allows for proper handling, storage, and emergency response measures to be implemented to mitigate risks effectively.

The other options identify substances that do not pose significant risks (non-toxic substances) or refer to items that are generally considered harmless or are just nuisances within a facility, which is different from the definition of hazardous materials.