according to the department of transportation a hazardous material is a substance that

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), a hazardous material is defined as a substance or material capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce.

Official DOT Definition

The DOT, through its Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), designates hazardous materials under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. 5103). These include substances like hazardous wastes, marine pollutants, elevated temperature materials, and items listed in the Hazardous Materials Table (49 CFR 172.101). This broad category ensures proper regulation during shipping to protect public safety.

Key Categories Covered

Hazardous materials encompass several specific types:

• Hazardous substances : Chemicals in reportable quantities that could harm health or the environment.
• Hazardous wastes : Regulated under EPA rules but subject to DOT transport standards.
• Marine pollutants : Substances toxic to aquatic life.
• Materials in 49 CFR 173 : Those meeting hazard class criteria, like flammables or corrosives.

Why This Matters

These regulations, found in 49 CFR Parts 100-180, require proper packaging, labeling, and training to prevent accidents during transport by road, rail, air, or sea. For instance, shippers must classify materials accurately using Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and comply with nine hazard classes, from explosives to miscellaneous dangerous goods.

TL;DR : DOT defines hazardous materials as those posing unreasonable risks in transport, covering a wide range of substances with strict handling rules.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.