Superfund

Definition

Superfund is a federal program established to identify, clean up, and remediate sites contaminated with hazardous substances in the United States. It aims to ensure that responsible parties clean up the pollution or, if they cannot be identified or are unable to pay, the federal government steps in to manage the cleanup using a trust fund financed by taxes on the chemical and petroleum industries.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Superfund was established in 1980 under CERCLA in response to growing concerns about hazardous waste sites and their impact on public health and the environment.
2. The program is funded through taxes on the chemical and petroleum industries, creating a trust fund that can be used for cleanup efforts when responsible parties are not available.
3. Superfund sites are designated based on their level of contamination and potential threat to human health and the environment, with priorities set for cleanup based on risk assessments.
4. Physical remediation techniques like pump-and-treat, air sparging, and soil vapor extraction are often employed at Superfund sites to remove or mitigate contaminants.
5. The success of the Superfund program has been significant, with thousands of sites cleaned up since its inception, helping to restore ecosystems and protect communities.

Review Questions

• How does the Superfund program determine which sites are eligible for cleanup, and what criteria are used in this decision-making process?
  • The Superfund program determines eligibility for cleanup by assessing sites based on their level of contamination and potential threats they pose to human health and the environment. This involves conducting risk assessments to evaluate factors such as the type and concentration of hazardous substances present, proximity to population centers, and potential exposure pathways. Sites that meet certain criteria are added to the National Priorities List (NPL), which prioritizes them for remediation efforts.
• Discuss how physical remediation techniques like pump-and-treat can be integrated into Superfund site cleanups and their effectiveness.
  • Physical remediation techniques such as pump-and-treat are crucial components of Superfund site cleanups. In this method, groundwater is extracted from a contaminated aquifer, treated to remove pollutants, and then either discharged back into the environment or re-injected. This technique effectively lowers contaminant levels over time but may require long-term operation and monitoring to ensure sustained results. The effectiveness of pump-and-treat depends on factors like site geology, contaminant type, and volume.
• Evaluate the overall impact of the Superfund program on public health and environmental restoration in affected communities since its inception.
  • The Superfund program has had a profound impact on public health and environmental restoration by addressing thousands of contaminated sites across the United States. By cleaning up hazardous waste locations, it has reduced exposure risks for nearby communities, leading to healthier living conditions. The restoration of ecosystems has also contributed positively to local economies by making land safe for redevelopment and recreational use. Overall, the program illustrates a successful federal response to environmental crises, promoting safer environments for future generations.

Related terms

CERCLA: The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, which created the Superfund program in 1980 to address hazardous waste sites.

Hazardous Waste: Any material that is dangerous or potentially harmful to human health or the environment, which is often found at Superfund sites.

Remediation: The process of cleaning up contaminated sites to remove or neutralize pollutants to protect human health and the environment.