Which is NOT one of the ways a hazardous material can be harmful?

Confusion is not typically classified as a direct harmful effect of hazardous materials in the same way that the other options are. The other choices directly describe physical or chemical interactions with the body or the environment.

Asphyxiation refers to a lack of oxygen which can result from certain gases or vapors displacing breathable air. Chemical harm involves reactions that can cause toxins to enter the body or lead to injury through contact or ingestion. Thermal harm relates to extremes in temperature, such as burns from hot materials or frostbite from cryogenic substances. Each of these options represents a clear, tangible way that hazardous materials can pose immediate danger to individuals or the environment, while confusion is a more abstract concept that does not directly align with the mechanics of hazardous material effects.