One type of hazardous material that may be shock sensitive is which substance?

• A. Organic peroxide
• B. Water
• C. Sand
• D. Glass

Answer: (A)

Shock sensitivity means some hazardous materials can detonate or violently decompose when they are subjected to a mechanical impact, friction, or sudden shock. Materials with this property must be handled very carefully and stored away from any sources of impact or heat.

Organic peroxides are a classic example of shock-sensitive materials. They contain unstable peroxide bonds and can react violently if struck, rubbed, or heated, sometimes releasing energy so quickly that an explosion can occur. That tendency to react violently under shock is why they’re identified as shock sensitive in hazmat contexts.

Water, sand, and glass don’t share this behavior. Water isn’t explosive and doesn’t undergo a dangerous energetic decomposition when shocked. Sand and glass are inert or simply brittle under impact; they don’t pose a shock-sensitive energetic reaction in the same way organic peroxides do.