---
title: O.C.G.A. § 12-8-140. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 12-8-140
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 12-8-140 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-8-140
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-8-140.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-8-140/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t12-(v10)-2021-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=67595359_0#page=1022
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/12-8.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES / WASTE MANAGEMENT / MITIGATING EFFECT OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS DISCHARGE
---

# O.C.G.A. § 12-8-140. Definitions.

As used in this article, the term:

(1) ‘‘Director’’ means the director of the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources.

(2) ‘‘Discharge’’ means leakage, seepage, or other release of hazardous materials on land or into a river, stream, lake, or other body of water or into the air.

(3) ‘‘Hazardous materials’’ means any material which because of its quantity, concentration, or physical, chemical, or infectious characteristics may:

(A) Cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible or incapacitating reversible illness; or

(B) Pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or to the environment when improperly treated, stored, transported, disposed of, or otherwise managed.

(4) ‘‘Person’’ means an individual, partnership, association, corporation, firm, or other entity.

## History

Code 1981, § 12-8-140, enacted by Ga. L. 1987, p. 810, § 1.