Superfund sites are areas designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as toxic areas that need to be cleaned.  There are currently 21 sites that have been designated by the EPA as needing an immediate and intense cleanup.  These sites include a landfill with radioactive waste near St. Louis and a public housing complex with lead contamination in East Chicago.  Even though there are major areas with serious health concerns, the funding for the EPA has decreased dramatically: the Trump administration decreased the Superfund budget by 30 percent.  Because of this, it is difficult to do hasty and comprehensive cleaning.  This is a public health concern, since there are many chemicals that are in sediment which can be detrimental to human health.  These include radioactive material, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and many other toxins which can cause the development of irritation, cancer, and many other ailments.  The way that the EPA defines their sites is somewhat strange as they give higher importance to areas which will help them meet their milestones, or site specific actions, as opposed to actually cleaning up the most detrimental areas (Brady).

The EPA is an instrumental organization which protects the health and safety of people all over the United states.  Figure 1 shows all of the super funds in the United States.  These funds are especially concentrated in New York, which shows the gravity of the situation in this area.  In fact, Brooklyn College is within 4 miles of a superfund site, and there are 4 more within 10 miles of it.

Figure 1: Superfund Sites in the United States

The problem with Superfund sites is that they can be on the Superfund list for decades.  It is expected that the toxins in groundwater and soil will remain for a long time.  This is somewhat uncontrollable.  However, what is controllable is the money in the EPA’s budget.  This budget is necessary since, when there are abandoned Superfund sites with no company to take responsibility, the EPA has to pay.  But, if there is no money, then there is no way to detoxify.  As shown in Figure 2 by the red columns, the number of active Superfund sites have decreased (National Geographic).

Figure 2: EPA Superfunds

To keep this trend going, the EPA needs to keep cleaning, and needs to prioritize their goals correctly, in terms of eliminating the most harmful sites over reaching their milestones.  Once this is done, the effect that harmful chemicals in soil and water can be minimized, which will make these sites, and their surrounding locations a safer place to live in.

Dennis, Brady. “EPA Lists 21 Toxic Superfund Sites That Need ‘Immediate and Intense’ Cleanup.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 8 Dec. 2017, www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/12/08/epa-lists-21-toxic-superfund-sites-that-need-immediate-and-intense-cleanup/.

“How Close Are You to a Superfund Site?” National Geographic, www.nationalgeographic.com/superfund/.