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| Descriptions of Selected Applicable Laws |
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA or "Superfund") PL 96-510
- Designed to clean up the worst abandoned hazardous waste sites. Owners or operators of inactive hazardous waste sites are required to notify state officials of the location and contents of the site.
State officials then compile lists and submit them to the USEPA for the development of a national inventory of waste sites. The most serious problems are placed on the USEPA's National Priorities List. Both state and national lists are to be updated annually.
Sources of funding for cleanup include excise taxes on manufacturers of petroleum and specified chemicals. This "Superfund" is to assist in paying for cleanup when those responsible for a site no longer exist, are unidentifiable or are unable to pay for cleanup.
This act also established the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ASTDR) as part of the Public Health Service with mandates to: (1) establish a National Exposure and Disease Registry; (2) create an inventory of health information on hazardous substances; (3) create a list of closed and restricted-access sites; (4) provide medical assistance during hazardous substance emergencies and (5) determine the relationship between hazardous substance exposure and illness.
- Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know-Act Of 1986. (EPCRA)
- Sometimes referred to as "CRA." Sets standards for Federal, state and local governments and industry to develop emergency plans, provide notification of chemical releases and report inventories for toxic and hazardous chemicals. Also states the public has a right to know when toxic or hazardous chemicals are present. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is responsible for implementing this act.
- Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) PL 94-580
- The first serious attempt by the Federal government to address the problems of hazardous waste management and the problems of solid waste. Requires the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to regulate hazardous waste from cradle to grave. Control of solid waste is primarily in the hands of the states. An amendment in 1984 covered the siting, construction and monitoring of about 2 million underground storage tanks.
The USEPA is also directed to establish standards for generators, transporters and those operating treatment, storage and disposal facilities. The USEPA identifies which wastes are hazardous by listing the specific waste or identifying the characteristics which make waste hazardous. Those generating solid waste are required to determine if that waste is hazardous.
- Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Acts of 1986. (SARA) PL 99-499
- Extensively amends CERCLA (or Superfund). Requires faster cleanup, increased public participation, and higher and clearer standards for cleanup. Emphasizes remedial actions to reduce hazardous situations permanently and significantly. Requires a National Priorities Listing, detailed site study and an analysis of the cost effectiveness of various cleanup options.
The USEPA is required to revise the Hazard Ranking System to more accurately reflect the risks to humans and the environment. Damage to natural resources and contamination of ambient air are both to be considered in evaluating potential hazards.
SARA also requires that the USEPA or the state provide public notice and opportunity to comment on any proposed plan for remedial action prior to Federal Government approval of the plan
- The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990
- Mandates source reduction and waste management of all toxic and hazardous substances. Amounts treated, disposed, recycled, recovered or released must be reported to the USEPA in an effort to reduce and prevent pollution.
- Toxic Substances Control Act of 1986. (TSCA) PL 99-519
- Makes manufacturers and processors of chemical substances responsible for developing data on their effects. Also provides authority to regulate chemical substances that present an unreasonable risk to health or the environment. The USEPA is granted control over production, use, distribution and disposal of hazardous substances. Makers of new chemicals must report to USEPA and the USEPA must assess the new chemicals for their impact on health or the environment.
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| Industry and Professional Sites |
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| Organizations |
- America's Union Movement - a resource of national health and safety information with resources available in the Spanish language. Information is provided on faith and worker justice, community services network, and building ...
- Envirolink Network - provides access to information to thousands of environmental resources nationally and internationally.
- Environmental Background Information Center - provides grassroots groups facing threats to their health and environment with three basic services: 1. track record of corporate polluters, 2. environmental justice mapping of pollution impacts, and
- Greenpeace - an international organization that provides fact sheets, reports, videos, and assistance on issues related to the environment.
- Kids Against Pollution - a national network of active youth dedicated to solving and preventing environmental problems through interactive educational projects.
- National Council for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) - a nationwide network of twenty-five organizations that are working to provide information and advocacy on safe and healthy jobs. Provides resources and information in languages other...
- National Council of Churches USA (Ecojustice Working Group) - provides resources, programs, and information for congregations working on stewardship issues, including youth activities.
- Web of Creation - an interdenominational and interfaith organization working to provide online environmental resources for faith-based organizations.
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| Suggested Reading and Viewing |
- A Citizen's Guide to Promoting Toxic Waste Reduction
- By Lauren Kenworthy, Eric Schaeffer Paperback (January 1990)
- And the Leaves of the Trees are for the Healing of the Nations
- Published by the Eco-Justice Working Group of the NCC and the Presbyterian Church. A concise exploration of the biblical and theological foundations for cherishing God's creation. Focuses on creation stories in Genesis as well as the Psalms, Pauline writings and the life and teachings of Jesus. Available from Environmental Justice Resources at 1 (800) 762-0968
- Annotated Bibliography of Faith-based Resources on the Environment for Children and Youth
- Published by the Eco-Justice Working Group of the National Council of Churches of Christ. Available from Environmental Justice Resources at 1 (800) 762-0968
- Breaking Political Gridlock: California's Experiment in Public-Private Cooperation for Hazardous Waste Policy
- (Environmental Studies Series, No 8)
By Daniel A. Mazmanian, Michael Stanley-Jones, Miriam J. Green
(1988) California Institute of Public Affairs
- Caring for Creation
- By Max Oelschlaeger. Yale University Press, 1994 available from Environemental Justice Resources 1 (800) 762-0968
- Chemical Exposure and Disease Diagnostic and Investigative Techniques: The Professional and Layperson's Guide to Understanding, Cause and Effect
- By Janette D. Sherman. Princeton, NJ: Princeton Scientific Publishing Company, Inc., 1994
- Citizen Participation in Toxic and Hazardous Substance/Waste Decision-Making: A Bibliography
- By Frederick Frankena, Joann Koelln Frankena
Out of print, but look for it in used bookstores or your local library
- Cleaning Up the Mess: Implementation Strategies in Superfund
- By Thomas W. Church, Robert T. Nakamura (Contributor) Paperback 209 pages (March 1993) Brookings Institute
- Creation in Crisis: Responding to God's Covenant
- Published by the Church of the Brethren to help congregations study environmental issues and develop plans for addressing these concerns. Available from Environmental Justice Resources at 1 (800) 762-0968
- Earth Book for Kids : Activities to Help Heal the Environment
- By Linda Schwartz, Beverly Armstrong (Illustrator)
Reading level: Ages 9-12; Paperback 184 pages (October 1990) Learning Works
Creative ideas with easy-to-follow instructions show kids how to make their own paper, compare phosphate levels in detergents, test the effects of oil pollution, conduct a recycling survey, create a trash sculpture, redesign a package, chart a flush, measure acidity and make a difference in many other exciting ways
- Faithful Earthkeeping: The Church as a Creation Awareness Center
- A three-part video produced by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America available from Environmental Justice Resources at 1 (800) 762-0968
- Guide to the Management of Hazardous Waste: A Handbook for the Businessman and Concerned Citizen
- By J. William Haun, Paperback 212 pages (August 1991) North American Press;
Explains waste management technology, related chemistry, and laws and regulations in plain English. Brief sections advise citizens on protecting themselves and businesses on regulations
- Hazardous Waste (Saving the Planet)
- By Allen Stenstrup Reading level: Ages 4-8 School & Library Binding (December 1991) Children's Press.
Explains what hazardous wastes are, how they are produced, and why it is difficult to dispose of them
- Hazardous Waste in America
- By Samuel S. Epstein M.D., Lester O. Brown and Carl Pope. Sierra Club Books, 1982. 593 pages., including extensive appendices and index
- Hazardous Waste Sites (Pro/Con)
- By Kathiann M. Kowalski. Reading level: Ages 9-12 (June 1996) Lerner Publications Company.
Discusses the dangers of hazardous waste sites, who is responsible for the problem, who is responsible for cleanup, various legal decisions, and the effects of the federal Superfund
- Love Canal: The Story Continues...
- By Lois Marie Gibbs. New Society Publishers, 1998. 223 Pages. The classic story in its second edition
- Loving Nature: Ecological Integrity and Christian Responsibility
- By James A. Nash. Abingdon Press, 1991
- National Black Church Environmental and Economic Justice Summit Report
- Published by the Eco-Justice Working Group of the NCC. Highlights stories of people affected by environmental racism. Includes speeches, by prominent Black pastors and community activists on the issue of environmental justice. Available from Environmental Justice Resources at 1 (800) 762-0968
- Our Children's Toxic Legacy: How Science and Law Fail to Protect Us from Pesticides
- By John Wargo. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1996
- Poisoned Land: The Problem of Hazardous Waste
- By Irene Kiefer. 90 pages
- Preventing Industrial Toxic Hazards : A Guide for Communities
- By Marian Wise, Lauren Kenworthy Paperback 2nd edition (July 1993) Inform
- Silent Spring
- By Rachel Carson. The original eye-opener and still relevant
- The Corporate Alchemists: Profit Takers and Problem Makers in the Chemical Industry
- By Lee Niedringhaus Davis. William Morrow & Company, 1984. 329 pages, including notes and index. An excellent examination of the economic and historical roots of toxic pollution
- Toxic Deception: How the Chemical Industry Manipulates Science, Bends the Law and Endangers Your Health
- By Dan Fagin and Marianne Levell and the Center for Public Integrity.
Secaucus, NJ; Carol Publishing Group, 1996
- Toxic Pollution in the U.S.A. With Special Concern for Its Impact in Poor and Minority Communities
- A resolution of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. Available from Environmental Justice, National Council of Churches at (212) 870-2386
View all in Suggested Reading and Viewing ...
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