What type of danger do Class 5 hazardous materials present?

Class 5 hazardous materials, specifically categorized as oxidizers, pose a particular risk due to their ability to promote or enhance combustion of other materials. Oxidizers are substances that can release oxygen or another oxidizing substance, which can lead to fire and explosion hazards when they come into contact with flammable materials. This characteristic distinguishes Class 5 materials and requires special handling procedures to mitigate the dangers they present in various environments, especially in storage and transportation.

In contrast, infectious materials refer to Class 6, corrosive materials are classified as Class 8, and miscellaneous materials fall under Class 9. Each class has its set of risks, but the unique property of oxidizing agents to accelerate combustion defines why Class 5 is critical for understanding hazardous materials and ensuring safety protocols in their handling.