Which list prioritizes cleanup at the national level in the Superfund program?

Which list prioritizes cleanup at the national level in the Superfund program?

• A. Emergency Response List
• B. Cleanup Priority List
• C. National Priorities List
• D. Hazardous Site List

Answer: (C)

The central concept is that national cleanup priorities in the Superfund program are determined by the National Priorities List. This official list identifies the hazardous sites that pose the greatest risk to public health and the environment and are slated for long-term remedial action funded under CERCLA and the Superfund program. Sites are evaluated using the Hazard Ranking System, which scores potential danger from factors like proximity to populated areas, potential exposure pathways, and contaminant severity; those with high scores are added to the National Priorities List and receive priority for investigation and cleanup at the national level. Other named lists don’t represent the formal nationwide ranking mechanism for Superfund cleanup; for example, Emergency Response actions handle immediate releases or threats, while the other labels aren’t used as the official national prioritization tool.

The central concept is that national cleanup priorities in the Superfund program are determined by the National Priorities List. This official list identifies the hazardous sites that pose the greatest risk to public health and the environment and are slated for long-term remedial action funded under CERCLA and the Superfund program. Sites are evaluated using the Hazard Ranking System, which scores potential danger from factors like proximity to populated areas, potential exposure pathways, and contaminant severity; those with high scores are added to the National Priorities List and receive priority for investigation and cleanup at the national level. Other named lists don’t represent the formal nationwide ranking mechanism for Superfund cleanup; for example, Emergency Response actions handle immediate releases or threats, while the other labels aren’t used as the official national prioritization tool.