The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced it is adding or recommending new sites to its Superfund National Priorities List, which will help fast-track the cleanup of these hazardous areas.
The EPA has added the Afterthought Mine in Bella Vista in California to the Superfund National Priorities List, while proposed adding these other four sites to the list:
If you operate a business in or near one of these regions, now is the time to ensure your hazardous waste disposal practices meet federal and state regulations. Improper handling of hazardous waste can result in significant environmental damage and costly penalties.
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The Superfund National Priorities List, or NPL, is a list of known sites throughout the United States and its territories where hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants pose significant threats to human health and the environment. Funding comes from a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law $3.5 billion investment and the Inflation Reduction Act’s reinstatement of the Superfund “polluter pays” chemical excise taxes.
Federal funding goes toward cleaning up NPL sites so they can be returned to communities for use. Sites are included in the list once a Hazard Ranking System (HRS) screening is completed, as well as public solicitation of comments about the proposed site.
Identification of an NPL site guides the EPA in identifying which remedial actions are appropriate and notifying responsible parties that the organization may initiate remedial action.
The goal of the program is to reduce any risks to environmental and human health, including birth defects and blood-lead levels among children living near the sites.
The five sites added or recommended for addition to the Superfund National Priorities List were due to significant contamination from past industrial activities, which pose ongoing risks to the local communities.
Past activities at the sites announced most recently by the EPA have included:
Contamination through these activities can come from a variety of hazardous sources, including:
Hazardous chemicals and substances can affect surface water, groundwater, soil and subsurface soil (vapor intrusion).
To avoid the costly cleanup and long-term environmental damage seen at these Superfund sites, it’s important for businesses handling hazardous materials to implement strong waste management protocols.
Proper hazardous waste disposal not only protects the environment but also shields your business from regulatory penalties and potential lawsuits.
When selecting a disposal company, consider these key factors:
By partnering with a certified hazardous waste disposal provider, you can ensure that your business operates safely and responsibly, preventing contamination and reducing the risk of becoming part of future Superfund site designations.