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Hazardous Materials and their Risks

Any material that is flammable, corrosive, toxic, or reactive (reacts spontaneously, is unstable, or generates toxic gases) falls into the "hazardous" category. Some products are hazardous to health by direct exposure; others become a risk after they're disposed of and begin to break down in the environment. If thrown in the garbage, dumped down the drain, or otherwise disposed of improperly, the chemicals they contain can leach into the soil and ground water system.

The best way to minimize the dangers posed by hazardous materials is to be aware. Always read the label, as it may help identify a product as hazardous. The words "Poison," "Danger," "Warning," or "Caution," mean that exposure to the product has a health risk. Household products like pesticides, cleaning products, and paints are likely to contain such warnings.

There are also products that are dangerous to the environment but don't pose an immediate health risk to the user and are therefore not labeled with warnings. Computers and batteries, for example, usually don't carry a warning label, but if disposed of improperly, can harm the environment because of the heavy metals they contain.

For a legal definition of hazardous waste, visit the California Department of Toxics Substance Control website.

Exposure to Hazardous or Toxic Materials:
If you or someone you're with is accidentally exposed to a toxic substance, call 911 or the California Poison Control System at (800) 222-1222.

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