(1) By rule, the Environmental Quality Commission may designate as a hazardous material any element, compound, mixture, solution or substance which when spilled or released into the air or into or on any land or waters of the state may present a substantial danger to the public health, safety, welfare or the environment.

(2) Before designating a substance as hazardous material, the commission must find that the hazardous material, because of its quantity, concentration or physical or chemical characteristics may pose a present or future hazard to human health, safety, welfare or the environment when spilled or released. [1985 c.733 § 6]