Anonymous,
There's no reason that toxic waste site cleanup should go unfunded -- especially when it's the job of the Environmental Protection Agency to prioritize cleaning up these dangerous sites.
But, under the Trump administration, the EPA has allowed the largest buildup of unfunded, toxic Superfund sites in 15 years.[1,2] Join us in calling on the EPA to do its job and clean up the toxic waste sites that put communities' health at risk.
Tell EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler: Clean up the toxic waste sites putting our health at risk.
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Congress established Superfund in 1980 after the disaster at Love Canal to empower the EPA to hold polluters accountable for toxic waste remediation, or, when no culpable party could be found, to access funding for cleanups.[3,4]
Many of these sites contain high levels of lead, arsenic, mercury and other toxic chemicals that threaten the health and wellbeing of our communities.[5] Superfund had one purpose: to clean up toxic waste that puts our health at risk.
But under the watch of EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, the list of Superfund sites in need of funding -- but not receiving any from the EPA -- has nearly tripled since 2016, reaching the largest volume in 15 years.[6]
Leaving hazardous waste sites unaddressed puts our health at risk. Tell the EPA to prioritize cleaning up toxic Superfund sites.
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There are now 34 unfunded toxic Superfund sites in the United States.[7]
The EPA performs a vital function in protecting Americans' health by ensuring that toxic waste cleanups can continue. But its failure to provide funding for these cleanups is putting Americans at risk of serious health impacts. That's why we're calling on EPA Administrator Wheeler to clean up the backlog of toxic Superfund sites.
Add your name: Tell the EPA to do its job and clean up Superfund sites in the United States.
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Sincerely,
Faye Park
President
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In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, we've taken steps for all of our staff to work remotely for safety reasons. But rest assured, we'll keep advocating for you as we work for a healthier, safer world. Check out more of our resources for addressing the coronavirus.
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1. Ellen Knickmeyer, Matthew Brown and Ed White, "Backlog of toxic Superfund clean-ups grows under Trump," Associated Press, January 3, 2020.
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2. "EPA's Superfund Backlog Grows," WBUR, January 17, 2020.
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3. Eckardt C. Beck, "The Love Canal Tragedy," United States Environmental Protection Agency Journal, January 1979.
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4. "List 10 - Contaminants at CERCLIS Sites," United States Environmental Protection Agency, October 28, 2013.
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5. "What is Superfund?" United States Environmental Protection Agency, accessed February 17, 2020.
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6. Ellen Knickmeyer, Matthew Brown and Ed White, "Backlog of toxic Superfund clean-ups grows under Trump," Associated Press, January 3, 2020.
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7. "Superfund Sites with Unfunded New Construction Projects," United States Environmental Protection Agency, last updated December 3, 2019.
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