What is the hazard associated with black powder?

The hazard associated with black powder is that it can become hazardous if it absorbs moisture. Black powder, being hygroscopic, tends to attract and retain moisture from the environment. When it absorbs moisture, it can lead to a number of potentially dangerous situations. For instance, wet black powder does not ignite as easily as dry powder, which can create complications during storage and handling. Moreover, if it is stored in this condition, it can lead to further deterioration, resulting in a situation where the powder is not only ineffective but also poses safety risks if ignited unexpectedly. This characteristic makes moisture control an essential aspect of handling and storing black powder safely.

Other hazards, such as deterioration due to age or temperature extremes, are indeed important considerations but do not specifically address the immediate risk related to moisture absorption in the context of black powder handling.