hazardous material

Glossary : Shipping Terms : HAZARDOUS MATERIAL

Hazardous materials (Hazmat) are defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation in accordance with the Federal Hazardous Material Law. A substance or material may be designated as hazardous if the transportation of the material in a particular amount and form poses an unreasonable risk to health and safety or property. Hazardous material includes: explosives, radioactive materials, etiologic agents, flammable or combustible liquids or solids, poisons, oxidizing or corrosive materials, and compressed gases. For more information, go to the U.S. DOT web site at http://hazmat.dot.gov.