Français: Superfund - Superfund
Superfund or Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) is a United States federal law designed to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances as well as broadly define "pollutants or contaminants". Superfund also gives authority to federal natural resource agencies, states and Native American tribes to recover natural resource damages caused by releases of hazardous substances, and it created the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
CERCLA provides a framework for the cleanup of hazardous waste sites in the United States, particularly those that have been abandoned or pose a threat to public health or the environment. The Superfund program is managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is funded through a tax on the petroleum and chemical industries. Here are some examples of Superfund in the environmental context:
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Hazardous waste sites: Superfund is used to clean up hazardous waste sites that pose a threat to public health or the environment. These sites can include abandoned industrial facilities, landfills, and other locations where hazardous materials were stored or disposed of.
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Brownfields: Brownfields are properties that may be contaminated by hazardous substances, but have the potential for redevelopment. Superfund can be used to clean up brownfields and make them suitable for redevelopment.
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Emergency response: Superfund can also be used for emergency response efforts in the event of a hazardous materials spill or release. This can include actions such as containment and cleanup of the release, as well as monitoring and testing of air, water, and soil in the affected area.
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Community involvement: Superfund requires community involvement in the cleanup process, including public meetings and opportunities for public comment on cleanup plans.
Other similar things to Superfund in the environmental context might include:
- State cleanup programs: Many states have their own programs for cleaning up hazardous waste sites and brownfields. These programs may be funded by state taxes or through partnerships with the federal government.