Which of the following best characterizes hazardous waste?

• A. Ignitability
• B. Corrosivity
• C. Reactivity
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Hazardous waste is identified by specific dangerous properties, not by a single criterion. A waste can be ignitable, corrosive, or reactive—and some wastes may have more than one of these characteristics. Ignitability means the waste can easily catch fire, often with a low flash point. Corrosivity means the waste can corrode metals or have extreme pH values. Reactivity means the waste is unstable or can release hazardous gases or explode under certain conditions. Since any of these properties can make a waste hazardous, the option that covers all of them is the best choice. For example, some wastes are ignitable, others are corrosive, and others are reactive, illustrating why “All of the above” is correct.