A waste is considered hazardous if it exhibits which of the following properties?

A waste is classified as hazardous when it exhibits specific properties that pose a risk to human health or the environment. The correct criteria for determining hazardous waste focus on four key characteristics: corrosivity, ignitability, reactivity, and toxicity.

Corrosivity refers to the ability of a waste to corrode materials, including metals and human tissue. Waste that is acidic or alkaline, with a pH of less than 2 or greater than 12.5, typically falls into this category.

Ignitability describes materials that can easily catch fire and sustain combustion, such as those that are flammable or spontaneously combustible, or those that have a flash point below a designated temperature.

Reactivity indicates that a waste is unstable under normal conditions, potentially causing violent reactions, explosions, or the release of toxic gases when exposed to water or other substances.

Toxicity relates to the potential of a waste to release harmful substances into the environment when disposed of, posing health risks if ingested or in contact with living organisms.

The other options do not accurately encompass the criteria used for identifying hazardous waste, as non-flammability and biodegradability, high pH and low solubility, or merely the color and smell of substances do not necessarily