How are hazardous materials classified according to their chemical properties?

Hazardous materials are classified according to their chemical properties primarily by evaluating characteristics such as flammability, corrosiveness, reactivity, and toxicity. This classification is crucial for understanding how these materials will behave under different conditions, which is essential for ensuring safety in handling, storage, and transport.

Flammability indicates how easily a material can ignite and sustain combustion, which impacts fire hazard assessments. Corrosiveness refers to the ability of a substance to damage or destroy living tissue or materials upon contact, relevant in determining safety measures for exposure. Reactivity describes how substances interact with others, potentially leading to hazardous results such as explosions or release of toxic gases. Toxicity assesses the health risks posed by a material upon exposure, either through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Together, these characteristics provide a comprehensive framework for managing hazardous materials and preventing accidents.

The other options focus on aspects that do not comprehensively reflect the comprehensive nature of hazardous material classification. Physical states, such as solid, liquid, or gas, do not provide enough information about the dangers associated with a substance. Classifying materials based on their industrial use lacks specificity and does not account for the inherent risks posed by the materials themselves. Lastly, using color and appearance is not a reliable