What type of characteristics is associated with hazardous waste?

The characteristic associated with hazardous waste is its ability to cause harm or fatality during exposure. Hazardous waste is defined based on specific properties that can present risks to human health and the environment. These properties often include being toxic, reactive, corrosive, or ignitable. A substance that can cause injury, illness, or even death upon contact, ingestion, or inhalation is clearly classified as hazardous.

This understanding underscores the importance of proper management and disposal of hazardous waste to mitigate potential risks. When evaluating waste materials for their hazardous nature, it's crucial to identify any harmful effects they may pose if they come into contact with people, wildlife, or the ecosystem.

In contrast, options that mention non-toxicity, biodegradable potential, or marketable by-products do not reflect conditions that would classify waste as hazardous. Non-toxic materials, for instance, generally present no significant risk and therefore would not fit under hazardous waste regulations. Similarly, being biodegradable or having marketable by-products may indicate utility or lower environmental impact rather than categorizing a material as hazardous.