Shipping Hazardous Materials: 7 Common Household Hazardous Materials

When you hear talk regarding shipping hazardous materials, you probably think it really only applies to big chemical companies, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Did you know there are many common household items that are considered hazardous materials? Next time you’re shipping something, you might be surprised to find out it’s considered hazardous.
Here are 7 examples of hazardous materials most of us come in contact with regularly.

1. Paint—A can of paint is considered a hazardous material. Special shipping containers are made to safely transport cans of paint. Remember to properly label your shipment to identify it as a hazardous material.

2. Lighters—Lighter fluid is flammable, thus making lighters a hazardous material.

3. Spray cans—Spray cans of all types (paint, canned air, hair spray, etc.) contain contents under extreme pressure. This makes these cans highly combustible, and thus, a hazardous materials.

4. Bleach—A common disinfectant used in many homes, bleach is considered a hazardous material. If you’re unsure how to ship bleach, ask an Amerijet hazmat agent for assistance.

5. Matches—Both strike anywhere and strike on box matches are considered hazardous materials for the purpose of shipping.

6. Power tools—Battery-powered drills and screwdrivers often contain lithium batteries. These batteries are considered hazardous materials as they can release dangerous amounts of heat and ignite if they are dropped or crushed.

7. Perfume—Perfume often contains flammable liquids, making it a hazardous material.

If you have any questions about shipping hazardous materials, let an Amerijet hazmat agent help you through this process.