Comprehensive Environmental Response hazardous substances

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and LiabiHty Act of 1980 (CERCLA) requires notification to the National Response Center of releases of quantities of hazardous substances equal to or greater than the reportable quantity (RQ) in 40 CER 302.4, which is one pound (0.454 kg). 

Under this provision, facilities should notify the LEPC and consequently the SERC of any possible environmental release of specific chemicals. The specific chemicals referred to in SARA Title III are found on the Extremely Hazardous Substance List (40 CER 355) and the Reportable Quantity List (the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act [CERCLA] Section 103 [a]). 

The toxicological profiles are developed in response to the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986 (Public law 99-499) which amended the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA or Superfund). This public law directed ATSDR to prepared toxicological profiles for hazardous substances most commonly found at facilities on the CERCLA National Priorities List and that pose the most significant potential threat to human health, as determined by ATSDR and the EPA. The availability of the revised priority list of 275 hazardous substances was announced in the Federal Register on November 17, 1997 (62 FR 61332). For prior versions of the list of substances, see Federal RegisternoiiCQS dated April 29, 1996 (61 FR 18744) April 17, 1987 (52 FR 12866) October 20, 1988 (53 FR 41280) October 26, 1989 (54 FR 43619) October 17, 1990 (55 FR 42067) October 17, 1991 (56 FR 52166) October 28, 1992 (57 FR 48801) and February 28, 1994 (59 FR 9486). Section 104(i)(3) of CERCLA, as amended, directs the Administrator of ATSDR to prepare a toxicological profile for each substance on the list. 

Reportable Quantity (RQ)—The quantity of a hazardous substance that is considered reportable under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Reportable quantities are (1) 1 pound or greater or (2) for selected substances, an amount established by regulation either under CERCLA or under Section 311 of the Clean Water Act. Quantities are measured over a 24-hour period. 

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Aet (CERCLA) [42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq ], as amended by the Superflind Amendments and Reauthorization Aet (SARA) [Pub. L. 99-499], requires that the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) develop jointly with the US. Enviromnental Protection Agency (EPA), in order of priority, a list of hazardous substances most commonly found at facilities on the CERCLA National Priorities List (NPL) prepare toxicological profiles for each substance included on the priority list of hazardous substances and assure the initiation of a research program to fill identified data needs associated with the substances. 

Once a potential release has been discovered, the information is entered into the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System (CERCLIS), a computerized database used to track hazardous substance sites. After being entered into CERCLIS, each site undergoes a preliminary assessment (PA) to determine whether the site poses a potential hazard and whether further action is necessary. If the threat is immediate, a removal action may be conducted. 

In 1980, the U.S. Congress enacted the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the first comprehensive federal law addressing the protection of the environment from the threat of hazardous substances. The primary goal of CERCLA is to establish an organized cost-effective mechanism for response to abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites that pose a serious threat to human health and the environment.8 9 To accomplish this goal, two types of response capabilities are mandated by CERCLA13 ... 

One of the mandates of the Agency forToxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) (under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, Section 104(i)(3), or Superfund) is to address the potential for adverse effects on public health resulting from lead exposure. Lead has been identified as a contaminant in at least 1,026 of the National Priorities List (NPL) sites and is currently ranked first on the Priority List of Hazardous Substances (ATSDR 1996a). Consequently,... 

CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act. Known as CERCLA, or the SUPERFUND amendment, this federal law deals with hazardous substances releases to the environment and the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. 

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) gives a broader definition of hazardous substances, which includes the following ... 

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as Superfund, 1980, created a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries and provided broad federal authority to respond directly to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances that may endanger public health or the environment. The act was amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) in 1986 and stressed the importance of permanent remedies and innovative treatment technologies in cleaning up hazardous waste sites. 

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