What is the difference between hazardous materials, dangerous goods and hazardous substances?
‘Hazardous materials’ is an umbrella term used to describe any substance that, because of its chemical, physical or biological properties, can cause harm to people, property or the environment. It is a term that collectively describes substances which are classified according to the hazard they present, including but not limited to ‘dangerous goods’, ‘combustible liquids’, and ‘hazardous substances’.
There is no demonstrated difference between the terms "Dangerous Goods" and "Hazardous Materials" except for the conventions of the State in which they are being described. In the United States of America, regulations published by the United States Department of Transportation use the term "Hazardous Materials" and these regulations are referred to as the "Hazardous Materials Regulations". The rest of the world, through the common resource of ICAO, IATA and the IMDG Code (which all take direction from the UN Committee of Experts and the UN Recommendation on the Transport of Dangerous Goods), uses the term "Dangerous Goods"."Hazardous Substance", in the United States, is a term used by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration to refer to substances that are present in a workplace which are capable of causing harm.The previous answers are most likely true as well and truly applicable in Australia and not necessarily through the rest of the world.
‘Hazardous materials’ is an umbrella term used to describe any substance that, because of its chemical, physical or biological properties, can cause harm to people, property or the environment. It is a term that collectively describes substances which are classified according to the hazard they present, including but not limited to ‘dangerous goods’, ‘combustible liquids’, and ‘hazardous substances’. Dangerous goods and hazardous substances are classified according to different criteria. Dangerous goods are classified on the basis of immediate physical or chemical effects such as fire, explosion, corrosion and poisoning that may affect property, people or the environment (e.g. petrol, pool chlorine, and some pesticides). Hazardous substances are classified only on the basis of health effects – both medium and long term – particularly in relation to workplaces. Many materials are both dangerous goods and hazardous substances. Dangerous goods and hazardous substances are covered by separ
