Learn the Issues
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If EPA finds any contamination associated with the Norwood Landfill site that “exceeds” what is considered safe, will EPA clean up that contamination - even if the Agency cannot find any “pathways” for that contamination to reach humans or sensitive environments?
If the sampling data shows an exceedance of a screening level, EPA will consult with the site Toxicologist and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to conduct a human health risk screening assessment to determine any potential threat to human health. EPA will also consult with the…
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Can Norwood residents be exposed to contamination if we grow and eat our own vegetables from gardens in our yards?
To date, contamination has not been found on residential properties that would pose a risk. In addition, the concentrations of the contaminants found at the Norwood Site are often found in urban communities. Studies show that exposure to contaminants via vegetable gardens is negligible. With the exception of some root…
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How do we know our drinking water has not been affected over the past 40+ years when the landfill was operating and after it closed since there were no regulations governing its operation or closure?
The Norwood community is serviced by a public drinking water source. The public water supply must meet federal and state Safe Drinking Water Act Standards. Public water systems are required to share annual reports that describe what, if anything, is found in the water supply.
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Vapor Intrusion
Vapor intrusion is the term used to describe the migration of volatile chemicals from contaminated groundwater and soils into the indoor air spaces of overlying buildings through openings in the building foundation. Vapors that accumulate in buildings could cause health risks or other safety concerns.
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Exposure Pathway
The way in which a person can come into contact with a hazardous substance. Three common routes of exposure are breathing (inhalation); eating or drinking (ingestion); or contact to the skin (dermal contact).
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Contamination
A physical, chemical, biological, and/or radiological substance or matter that has an adverse effect on air, water, or soil quality.
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National Priorities List (NPL)
The NPL is a list of hazardous waste sites identified by EPA as warranting further investigation into the extent of the risk they pose and whether cleanup of the site under EPA’s Superfund Remedial program is warranted. NPL listing does not promise remedial action, only detailed investigation.
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Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
A Federal law (commonly known as “Superfund”) passed in 1980 and modified in 1986 by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). The law gives EPA the authority to investigate sites where there is a suspected threat to public health, or the environment caused by the release or potential release…
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Quality Program Virtual Training Event February 8-9, 2022
This page contains the link to the session recordings from the Quality Program Virtual Training Event held Feb 8-9, 2022
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EPA's 11th Campus RainWorks Challenge
This webcast includes speakers from the Round 11 first place winner, University of Oregon, sharing their experience competing in the Campus Rainworks Challenge.
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2015 Campus RainWorks Challenge Results
EPA’s Office of Water is pleased to announce its fourth annual Campus RainWorks Challenge for undergraduate and graduate students.
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Green Infrastructure and Clean Water Act Requirements Resources
The evolution of green infrastructure for CWA implementation, policy memos, and fact sheets.
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Planting for the Future: Native Plants, Green Jobs, and Adaptation
This webcast discusses the influence of MS4 permits on green infrastructure programs and implementation in MS4 communities.
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Creating Age-Friendly Communities with Green Infrastructure: How Addressing Needs of Children and Older Adults Benefits All
This webcast discusses the influence of MS4 permits on green infrastructure programs and implementation in MS4 communities.
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Land Use and Green Infrastructure Scorecard
The Land Use and Green Infrastructure Scorecard guides municipalities through a review of local plans, policies, and municipal practices to illuminate opportunities to better protect water resources.
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Coloring Superfund Green: Select Case Studies on the Revitalization of Contaminated Sites with Green Infrastructure
This webcast will address strategies and lessons learned from two dynamic outreach and education programs.
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Paying for Stormwater - The Benefits of a Utility
Practitioners will cover a range of practices that can help communities implement GI in rural areas.
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Educational and Environmental Win-Wins for EPA and Indian Country
Working in OITA, Whiteman supports the same Pathways Internship program that provided opportunities for her and her classmates at her alma mater. Through EPA Region 7 and HINU’s student career exploration liaison program, a historic partnership was created
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EPA Region 7 Works with Community to Prevent Childhood Lead Poisoning in St. Joseph, Missouri
Nestled alongside the Missouri River in northwest Missouri is St. Joseph, home to nearly 76,000 people. The city and EPA partnered on an outreach campaign that began in 2017 to protect children from lead poisoning.
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EPA Highlights Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Region 7 for National HBCU Week, Sept. 21-25
African Americans, abolitionists, and other allies began to establish institutions of higher education for the benefit of African Americans, now known as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).