Hazardous Material:

Unfortunately, there is no one list or definition that covers everything. The United States agencies involved, as well as state and local governments, have different purposes for regulating hazardous materials that, under certain circumstances, pose a risk to the public or the environment.

Hazardous Materials

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) uses the term hazardous materials which covers eight hazard classes, some of which have subcategories called classifications, and a ninth class covering other regulated materials (ORM). DOT includes in its regulations hazardous substances and hazardous wastes as ORM-E, both of which are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if their inherent properties would not otherwise be covered.

Hazardous Substances

EPA uses the term hazardous substance for the chemicals which, if released into the environment above a certain amount, must be reported and, depending on the threat to the environment, federal involvement in handling the incident can be authorized. A list of the hazardous substances is published in 40 CFR Part 302, Table 302.4.

Extremely Hazardous Substances

EPA uses the term extremely hazardous substance for the chemicals which must be reported to the appropriate authorities if released above the threshold reporting quantity. Each substance has a threshold reporting quantity. The list of extremely hazardous substances is identified in Title III of Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986 (40 CFR Part 355).

Toxic Chemicals

EPA uses the term toxic chemical for chemicals whose total emissions or releases must be reported annually by owners and operators of certain facilities that manufacture, process, or otherwise use a listed toxic chemical. The list of toxic chemicals is identified in Title III of SARA.

Hazardous Wastes

EPA uses the term hazardous wastes for chemicals that are regulated under the Resource, Conservation and Recovery Act (40 CFR Part 261.33). Hazardous wastes in transportation are regulated by DOT (49 CFR Parts 170 - 179).

Hazardous Chemicals

The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) uses the term hazardous chemical to denote any chemical that would be a risk to employees if exposed in the work place. Hazardous chemicals cover a broader group of chemicals than the other chemical lists.

Hazardous Substances

OSHA uses the term hazardous substance in 29 CFR Part 1910.120, which resulted from Title I of SARA and covers emergency response. OSHA uses the term differently than EPA. Hazardous substances, as used by OSHA, cover every chemical regulated by both DOT and EPA.

Back to the Ingham County Pamphlet List Page

Back to the AWARE Home Page