Making the Program Faster, Fairer, and More Efficient (Continued)
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STEPS FOR CLEANING UP A SUPERFUND SITE
The general approach taken by EPA to clean
up a Superfund site is detailed below. Each box represents a different
step in the process (e.g., site discovery; CERCLIS). The first
entry in each box provides a general description of the cleanup activity.
The second entry (and the one in italics) provides a description of how
the particular step was implemented at the Ambler
Asbestos Piles site in Pennsylvania.
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General description:
Process begins when a hazardous substance release (e.g., spill, abandoned site) is identified and reported to EPA.
Cleanup at Ambler Asbestos Piles site:
In March 1980, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania identified an asbestos dump, containing wastes generated from the early 1930s through 1980 as an area of concern to EPA.
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General description:
Site is listed in the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Information System (CERCLIS), which inventories and tracks releases providing comprehensive information to response agencies.
Cleanup at Ambler Asbestos Piles site:
All relevant information including data from earlier State site investigations was documented in CERCLIS.
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PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT (PA)
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General description:
This is the first stage of a site assessment. Preliminary Assessments are conducted to determine if an Emergency Removal Action is necessary, and to establish Site Inspection priorities.
Cleanup at Ambler Asbestos Piles site:
The PA identified three asbestos-contaminated waste piles and a series of filter bed lagoons which threatened the 6,000 people who live within a half mile radius of the site. A public playground was targeted for Emergency Removal Action.
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General description:
The second stage of a site assessment involves on-site investigations to ascertain the extent of a release or potential for release. The Site Inspection usually involves sample collection and may also include the installation of ground water monitoring wells.
Cleanup at Ambler Asbestos Piles site:
The SI was completed in 1984, revealing extensive asbestos contamination in air, water, and soil samples. As a result of the SI, the Centers for Disease Control issued a Public Health Advisory recommending the closure of the nearby playground.
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General description:
A short-term, fast-track Federal response to prevent, minimize, or mitigate damage at sites where hazardous materials have been released or pose a threat of release. Removal Actions may occur at any step of the response process.
Cleanup at Ambler Asbestos Piles site:
EPA implemented Emergency Removal Actions to establish a soil and vegetative cover, install a drainage system, provide erosion control measures, and remove contaminated playground equipment.
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HAZARD RANKING SYSTEM (HRS) PACKAGE
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General description:
Site assessment information is then used in the Hazard Ranking System (HRS). HRS is a screening system to evaluate environmental hazards of a site.
Cleanup at Ambler Asbestos Piles site:
In October 1984, the site was evaluated, and the Hazard Ranking System score was determined high enough for the site to be added to the NPL.
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*Removal Action is in a different color because removals can occur whenever they are determined to be necessary, and not during a specific stage in the cleanup process.
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