Superfund (CERCLA)

Superfund, established by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) in 1980, is a U.S. federal program designed to clean up contaminated sites. When hazardous waste is improperly disposed of and poses risks to health or the environment, Superfund provides funding and authority to identify, investigate, and remediate these areas. Responsible parties, if known, are held accountable financially. The process involves assessing pollution, developing cleanup plans, and restoring sites to safe conditions, ensuring communities are protected from dangerous pollution and long-term health risks.