United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response Publication 9200.5-008A November 1990 ?/EPA The Challenge of Superfund Thousands of Sites Must Be Evaluated Hazardous waste sites are identified through procedures as varied as formal notification requirements and citizen phone calls to the Agency. Approximately 33,000 potential National Priorities List (NPL) sites have been placed in CERCLIS, EPA's computerized inventory of sites to be evaluated. To date, almost 31,000 potential NPL sites have received the first level of evaluation, the preliminary assessment At 19,000 of these sites, the Agency decided that further Federal action is unnecessary. Problems at these sites are being dealt with by State and local governments, individuals, or companies. Approximately 11,000 sites passed the first level of evaluation and are awaiting further investigation. To date, the Agency has placed more than 1,200 sites on the NPL. Historically, 5-10 percent of all sites evaluated are placed on the list. Based on past experience, the Agency expects to continue listing approximately 100 sites per year. Wastes at NPL Sites Come From Many Sources Each NPL site is unique in its layout, type of location, and variety of wastes. • Superfund sites range from a 1/4-acre metal plating shop to a 250-square mile mining complex. • Every conceivable type of waste is found at Superfund sites: • Heavy metals, • Solvents, • Organics, • Pesticides, and • Radioactive wastes. • Superfund sites pose threats to: • Groundwater, • Surface water, -> • Drinking water, • Soils, and • Air. ------- INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATED WITH SUPERFUND SITES EH Manufacturing (38.9%) • Mining (2.03%) D DOE* and Military (5.04%) E3 Recyclers (8.49%) H Industrial Landfill (6.46%) & Municipal Landfill (16.54%) Bother (22.9%) '• Department of Energy Superfund Must Satisfy Conflicting Expectations The public and Congress have many — often conflicting — expectations for Superfund. Some of the mandates the program must meet are: Rapid response and Cleanups at many sites and Prompt cleanup completion and Consistent cleanup nationwide and Using Trust Fund money for cleanup and .Careful planning Thorough cleanup at each site Extensive public involvement Decentralized decision-making Suing for private party response Meeting these expectations requires EPA constantly to make difficult decisions regarding strategies and priorities. ------- |