Final answer:
A substance designated as hazardous under section 5103 of the federal hazardous materials transport law is regulated to mitigate risks during transportation. It includes materials that may harm health, safety, or property, and is governed by both the USDOT and EPA regulations related to hazardous waste management.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term you are referring to is often used in relation to regulations set forth by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) under the federal hazardous materials transport law, which is codified at 49 USC 5103. These laws are designed to ensure safe transportation of materials that pose significant risk to health, safety, or property, and are considered hazardous. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also regulates hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
Hazardous waste is identified by its potential to cause harm due to its physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics, and may include listed wastes from industrial processes or characteristic wastes that are ignitable, corrosive, reactive, or toxic. Proper management of these substances includes their treatment, storage, transportation, and disposal to mitigate risks to public health and the environment.