The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) is a federal law aimed at the cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous substances and pollutants. Also known as Superfund, it imposes strict joint and several liability on potentially responsible parties (PRPs) for site remediation.
A comprehensive study of land to identify any unique environmental attributes, evaluate potential impacts, and determine the need for further action such as an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Hazardous substances refer to a wide array of contaminants that are regulated under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). These substances include hazardous waste and chemical contaminants but exclude petroleum products due to a specific exemption.
Hazardous waste is a type of solid waste that poses a substantial or potential threat to human health or the environment due to its quantity, concentration, or characteristics. Proper identification, management, and disposal of hazardous waste are crucial for ensuring safety and compliance with regulatory standards.
PHASE II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) involves a detailed field investigation to evaluate the presence of contamination following positive findings during Phase I ESA. Its aim is to confirm contamination and estimate the remediation cost.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are carcinogenic chemicals formerly used in electrical transformers and other equipment. Given their hazardous nature, specific measures must be taken to safely dispose of PCBs to prevent environmental contamination.
Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) refer to individuals or entities that are legally liable for contamination and remediation of hazardous waste sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
POTENTIALLY RESPONSIBLE PARTIES (PRP) are individuals or entities potentially liable for environmental contamination under Superfund laws such as CERCLA and SARA. These parties can include current or former owners, operators, transporters, and disposers of hazardous waste at a contaminated site.
Remediation involves corrective actions aimed at cleaning up environmentally contaminated sites. The goal is to either eliminate or reduce contamination to acceptable levels using various methods such as containment, excavation, and physical, chemical, or biological treatments.
Solid waste refers to any garbage, refuse, sludge, and other discarded materials resulting from industrial, commercial, mining, agricultural, and community activities. These wastes can be in a solid, liquid, or contained gaseous form, and include nonhazardous and hazardous waste materials.
SUPERFUND is the commonly used name for CERCLA, the federal environmental cleanup law. It mandates the cleanup of contaminated sites and holds responsible parties accountable for the costs.
The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) is a law that confirmed the continued existence of the Superfund program and strengthened the enforcement of hazardous waste site remediation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
