Which substances are categorized as hazardous wastes?

The categorization of hazardous wastes encompasses a variety of substances that can pose risks to human health and the environment. Hazardous wastes include chemical substances that exhibit properties such as toxicity, ignitability, corrosivity, or reactivity. Biological wastes, which can include pathogens or other infectious materials, also fall into this category due to their potential hazards.

Explosive substances are considered hazardous because they can pose risks of detonation or uncontrolled release of energy, leading to dangers in handling and disposal. Radioactive materials are similarly classified as hazardous wastes due to their potential for harmful exposure and environmental contamination over long periods.

Since all these types of materials—chemical, biological, explosive, and radioactive—present significant risks and require careful handling, treatment, and disposal to protect public health and the environment, they collectively belong to the broader category of hazardous wastes. Thus, the comprehensive answer recognizes that all these types of substances can be categorized as hazardous, supporting the selection of all-encompassing options in hazardous waste classification.