Legal Definitions - hazardous cargo

Hazardous cargo refers to any goods, materials, or substances being transported that pose a significant risk to health, safety, property, or the environment. These risks can arise from the material's inherent properties, such as being flammable, corrosive, toxic, explosive, radioactive, or infectious.

Here are some examples illustrating what constitutes hazardous cargo:

• Example 1: Industrial Chemicals
  A large tanker truck is transporting a significant volume of concentrated sulfuric acid from a chemical plant to a manufacturing facility. Sulfuric acid is highly corrosive and can cause severe burns upon contact, as well as damage to infrastructure if spilled.

  This is considered hazardous cargo because the acid's corrosive nature presents a clear danger to the driver, other road users, and the environment in the event of an accident or leak during transit.

• Example 2: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Air Freight
  An air cargo plane is loaded with several pallets containing thousands of new lithium-ion batteries intended for consumer electronics. While commonly used, these batteries have the potential to overheat, catch fire, or even explode if damaged, improperly packaged, or exposed to extreme temperatures.

  These batteries are classified as hazardous cargo due to their flammability and potential for thermal runaway, which poses a significant fire risk to the aircraft and its crew during flight.

• Example 3: Medical Waste
  A specialized truck is collecting sealed containers of used syringes, contaminated bandages, and laboratory samples from hospitals and clinics for disposal. These materials may contain infectious agents or sharp objects.

  This constitutes hazardous cargo because the medical waste carries biological risks, including the potential to transmit diseases or cause injury, requiring strict handling and transport protocols to protect public health and safety.