What characteristic defines a hazardous material in the laboratory setting?

A characteristic that defines a hazardous material in the laboratory setting is its potential to cause a physical or health hazard. Hazardous materials are those that pose risks to health, safety, or the environment due to their chemical, biological, or physical properties. This includes substances that may be toxic, corrosive, flammable, reactive, or infectious.

Understanding this characteristic is crucial for laboratory professionals, as it informs safety protocols, handling procedures, and necessary precautions to protect individuals working in or around these materials. When a substance causes a physical or health hazard, it signals the need for specific measures to mitigate risk and ensure safe usage, which underscores the importance of proper labeling, usage guidelines, and regulatory compliance.

The other factors mentioned, like the necessity for ventilation, disposal methods, and secure storage, are important safety considerations but do not define what makes a material hazardous in the first place. Instead, they are practical responses to the hazards presented by such materials.