North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

What constitutes a hazardous substance under North Carolina law?

1. Anything that is recyclable

2. Any material that can be composted

3. Any substance that poses unreasonable risk to health and safety

4. Only materials that are industrial waste

The correct answer is: Any substance that poses unreasonable risk to health and safety

Under North Carolina law, a hazardous substance is defined as any material that poses an unreasonable risk to health and safety. This means that if a substance has the potential to cause harm to individuals, the environment, or both, it would be classified as hazardous. The categorization is crucial for regulatory purposes, ensuring that such substances are managed and disposed of properly to prevent any adverse effects on public health or the environment. Categorizing a substance based on its risk to health and safety allows for a broad range of materials to be considered hazardous. This includes toxic chemicals, certain waste products, and other materials that may not necessarily fit into traditional definitions like industrial waste or recyclable items. Other options do not reflect the comprehensive nature of what constitutes a hazardous substance, as they focus on specific types of materials or their processing rather than their potential risks.