Superfund Sites

Nicholas Kaufman remains well informed on news related to Superfund sites, as he previously managed efforts to clean up a Superfund site in Fernald, Ohio, which at the time was one of the largest sites of its kind.

A Superfund site represents an area contaminated with dangerous or hazardous chemical material. In 1980, the United States government passed the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) in an effort to decrease the amount of toxic waste sites within the U.S. and minimize their effects on the greater public. As a result of this act, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) was established. This agency retains the authority to assess areas that put the public’s well being in danger and conducts research on many of the common hazardous substances at Superfund sites. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces CERCLA and works to identify sites of contamination and hold responsible parties accountable. The EPA draws from a trust fund to finance cleanups of Superfund sites if no party is held responsible.

CERCLA designates two types of acceptable response actions to address hazardous contamination. They include removal actions and remedial actions. Removal action involves response on a more short-term basis, which can include the classification of time-critical, emergency, or non-time critical situations. This type of action usually occurs when there is a serious or immediate risk to the public’s health or to the environment. Remedial action encompasses a long-term approach, commonly associated with prevention and hindrance of further damage. Substance neutralization and the cessation of pollutant migration represent remedial actions taken by the government in past situations to minimize possible harm.

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Belmont Instruments’ Nicholas Kaufman has served the nuclear power and weapons industry by developing cleanup and safety programs.