Hazardous substances are those that, following exposure, can have an adverse effect on health. Examples of hazardous substances include poisons, substances that cause burns or skin and eye irritation, and substances that may cause cancer.
Dangerous goods are substances or articles that, because of their physical, chemical (physicochemical) or acute toxicity properties, present an immediate hazard to people, property or the environment. In Western Australia, these are defined in the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 and subsidiary legislation.