Reactivity Characteristic

A material is considered to have the "reactivity" characteristic, if it meets any of the following criteria:

• It is normally unstable and readily undergoes violent change without detonating.
• It reacts violently with water.
• It forms potentially explosive mixtures with water.
• When mixed with water, it generates enough toxic gases, vapors, or fumes to be dangerous to human health or the environment.
• It contains cyanide or sulfide and generates dangerous amounts of toxic gases, vapors, or fumes when exposed to pH levels between 2 and 12.5.
• It is capable of detonation if subjected to a strong enough ignition source, or if heated under confinement, or at standard temperature and pressure.

For example, most explosives are considered to have the reactivity characteristic, as well as many compressed gases (since they are under high enough pressure that they can explode on impact).

To learn more about RCRA visit our RCRA Hazardous Waste Safety Online Training web page.