Which hazardous waste characteristic is defined by a very low flash point, indicating a tendency to ignite easily?

• A. Ignitability
• B. Reactivity
• C. Corrosivity
• D. Toxicity

Answer: (A)

Ignitability is the hazardous waste characteristic defined by a very low flash point, indicating a tendency to ignite easily. A flash point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid’s vapors can form an ignitable mixture with air. If that temperature is very low, the material can produce enough flammable vapor at ordinary temperatures to ignite with an ignition source. This is why wastes with such low flash points are classified as ignitable. Other characteristics describe different hazards: reactivity involves violent chemical changes or release of energy, corrosivity involves corrosive action on metals or skin, and toxicity concerns harmful health effects from exposure or leaching. So, the described trait matches ignitability.