Search

EPA Expands List of US Superfund Sites

Posted on 4/7/2016 by Roger Marks

Today, April 7, US EPA expanded the list of US Superfund sites by adding five contaminated hazardous waste and chemical sites to the National Priorities List (NPL). Required under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the NPL is a list of sites in the United States affected by “uncontrolled hazardous substance releases…that are priorities for long-term remedial action and response.” [40 CFR 300.5]

Without further ado, the five NEW Superfund sites are:

  • A former zinc plant in Fairmont City, IL
  • A former dry cleaner in Atlantic, IA
  • A former gas plant in Norfolk, NE
  • A former pesticides manufacturing facility in Vineland, NJ
  • A groundwater plume in Roswell, NM
Today’s Final Rule in the Federal Register also proposes further expansion Superfund list. In addition to adding the five sites above to the NPL, EPA proposed eight additional sites for inclusion. This brings the total number of sites proposed for inclusion on the Superfund list nationally to fifty-five.

Superfund HAZWOPER site
 
The eight sites proposed for addition to the Superfund list in EPA’s April 7 Final Rule are:

  • Two former hard rock mining areas in Jackson, CA, and San Juan County, CO
  • A former cleaning products manufacturing site in Live Oak, TX
  • A former tire and heavy duty truck molding manufacturing site in Riverside, OH
  • The former site of various industrial operations along Wappinger Creek in Dutchess County, NY
  • Two contaminated groundwater areas in Indianapolis, IN, and Dorado, PR
  • A former glass and zinc manufacturing site in Clarksburg, WV
Read more about the new and proposed Superfund sites on EPA’s page “Current NPL Updates: New Proposed NPL Sites and New NPL Sites”.

How Does a Site Get on the Superfund List?

To be added to EPA’s NPL, a site must first be discovered as a hazard to human health or the environment, and reported to US EPA. Often, EPA discovers Superfund sites when the National Response Center (NRC) receives a report of hazardous substance release as required under 40 CFR 302. A site may also be reported by concerned US citizens.

Next, EPA conducts a preliminary assessment and site inspection of the potential cleanup site. This assessment and inspection can include taking samples of the air, water, and soil and investigating how people might be exposed to the chemicals present at the site.

If EPA’s preliminary assessment and inspection find reason to add the site to the NPL, EPA will propose doing so in the Federal Register. Lastly, provided that public comments do not change EPA’s mind about the contaminated site, the site is added to the NPL list for eventual cleanup.
For more on how Superfund sites are added to the NPL, read Understanding Superfund Discovery and Remediation.

8-Hour HAZWOPER Refresher Coming Soon!

Personnel who work at contaminated hazardous waste sites on EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL) must complete training on OSHA’s Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Standard found at 29 CFR 1910.120.

Need refresher HAZWOPER training? The convenient, interactive 8-Hour OSHA HAZWOPER Refresher Online Course is coming soon to Lion.com!

Tags: CERCLA, EPA, HAZWOPER, osha, Superfund

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Energetic/enthusiastic! Made training enjoyable, understandable and fun!

Amanda Walsh

Hazardous Waste Professional

The instructor had knowledge of regulations and understanding of real-world situations. The presentation style was engaging and fostered a positive atmosphere for information sharing.

Linda Arlen

Safety & Environmental Compliance Officer

The instructor was excellent. They knew all of the material without having to read from a notepad or computer.

Gary Hartzell

Warehouse Supervisor

Best course instructor I've ever had. Funny, relatable, engaging; made it interesting and challenged us as the professionals we are.

Amanda Schwartz

Environmental Coordinator

Lion was very extensive. There was a lot of things that were covered that were actually pertaining to what I do and work with. Great Job. I will be coming back in three years!

Tony Petrik

Hazmat Shipping Professional

I think LION does an excellent job of any training they do. Materials provided are very useful to my day-to-day work activities.

Pamela Embody

EHS Specialist

The instructor was very dedicated to providing a quality experience. She did her best to make sure students were really comprehending the information.

Stephanie Venn

Inventory Control Specialist

We have a very busy work schedule and using Lion enables us to take the course at our own time. It makes it easy for me to schedule my employees' training.

Timothy Mertes

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The instructor was energetic and made learning fun compared to dry instructors from other training providers.

Andy D’Amato

International Trade Compliance Manager

Very witty instructor, made the long times sitting bearable. One of the few training courses I can say I actually enjoyed.

John Hutchinson

Senior EHS Engineer

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Use this guide as a quick reference to the most common HAZWOPER questions, and get course recommendations for managers and personnel who are in need of OSHA-required HAZWOPER training.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.