From industrial chemicals and toxic waste to household detergents and air fresheners, hazardous materials are part of our everyday lives. Affecting urban, suburban and rural areas, hazardous materials incidents can range from a major chemical spill on a highway or at a chemical plant to accidental or intentional spills, leaks, or releases of hazardous materials in our offices or homes to groundwater contamination by naturally occurring methane gas. These substances are hazardous because of their chemical, physical or biological nature and may pose a potential risk to life, health or property if they are improperly handled or are released.
Hazards exist during production, storage, transportation, use and disposal .
Chemical plants are one source of hazardous materials, but there are many others. Your local service station stores gasoline and diesel fuel, and the university stores and uses a wide range of hazardous materials. Of course hazardous materials are found in laboratories and research areas but they can also be found in offices, maintenance areas, storage areas, and many others on the university campus. There are many hazardous materials typically found in our homes. Drain cleaners, solvents, pesticides, paints, motor oil, dyes, and antifreeze are all hazardous materials that may be found in the home.