Military Munitions Rule Awareness Practice Test

Which term describes a hazardous waste's ability to explode or react violently?

1. Corrosivity

2. Toxicity

3. Reactivity

4. Ignitability

The correct answer is: Reactivity

The term that describes a hazardous waste's ability to explode or react violently is reactivity. This characteristic indicates how a substance might undergo a chemical reaction, leading to the release of energy in the form of heat or gas. Reactive wastes can be unstable under normal conditions and can pose significant hazards through violent reactions when in contact with water, for example, or when subjected to heat or pressure. The other terms relate to different hazardous properties: corrosivity refers to the ability of a substance to corrode or damage materials and living tissue; toxicity describes the harmful effects that a substance can have on human health or the environment; and ignitability pertains to a substance's ability to catch fire easily or sustain combustion. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for proper handling and disposal of hazardous wastes.