What is an example of a controlled substance within hazardous materials?

The selection of certain chemicals like methamphetamine precursors as a controlled substance accurately reflects how these substances are regulated due to their potential for misuse and harm. Controlled substances are typically defined as drugs or chemicals whose manufacture, possession, or use is regulated by government laws. Precursors to methamphetamine, for instance, are strictly monitored because they can be used in the illegal synthesis of this drug, which poses significant health and safety risks.

In the context of hazardous materials, these precursors not only fall under drug regulations but may also exhibit hazardous properties that make them dangerous to handle without appropriate safety measures. This emphasizes the importance of strict regulations in preventing not just illicit drug manufacture but also ensuring public safety.

Other options like common household cleaners, fertilizers, and chemicals used in food processing, while potentially hazardous, do not specifically fit the definition of controlled substances as they are not regulated in the same way due to their common usage and lower risks of misuse.