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EPA Updates Superfund National Priorities List
to Clean Up Pollution, Address Public Health
Risks, and Build a Better America
March 17,2022
Contact Information
EPA Press Office
press@epa gQv)
WASHINGTON (March 17,2022)-
Today; the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is adding 12 sites Superfund
National Priorities List (NPL) and is proposing to add another five. These are sites where releases of contamination pose significant
human health and environmental risks_
Cleaning
up
contaminated sites is important for the health, safety; and revitalization of
communities_
No
community deserves to have contaminated sites near where they live, work, play,
go to school. Nearly 2 out of 3 ofthe sites
proposed or added to the priorities list are in overburdened or underserved communities
said EPA Administrator Michael S_
Regan.
EPA is building
better America by taking action to clean up some ofthe nation s most contaminated sites, protect
communities' health,and return contaminated land to safe and productive reuse for future generations.
Thousands of contaminated sites, from landfills, processing plants; to manufacturing facilities exist nationally due to hazardous waste
being dumped, left out in the open, or otherwise improperly managed. President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will accelerate
EPA's work to help communities clean up these contaminated sites with a $3.5 billion investment in the Superfund Remedial Program
and reinstates the Superfund chemical excise taxes,
making it one ofthe largest investments in American history to address legacy
pollution: This historic investment strengthens EPA's ability to tackle threats to human health and the environment;and EPA has already
set action in motion to clearthe
backlog ofthe 49 contaminated sites which had been awaiting funding to start remedial action:
Superfund cleanups provide health and economic benefits to communities The program is credited for significant reductions in both
birth defects and blood-lead levels among children
near sites; and research has shown residential property values increase up to
24 percent within three miles of sites after cleanup:
Further; thanks to Superfund cleanups, communities are now using previously blighted properties for
wide range of purposes,
and
being
living