California legal term
hazardous chemical in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “hazardous chemical” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “hazardous chemical” mean in California criminal law?
“hazardous chemical” means any material that is believed by the chief of the law enforcement agency, or his or her designee, to be toxic, carcinogenic, explosive, corrosive, or flammable, and that is believed by the chief of the law enforcement agency, or his or her designee, to have been used or intended to have been used in the unlawful manufacture of controlled substances. (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 11479.5)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.