The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980 has proven to be one of the most important environmental protection programs of all time. Also known as Superfund, this act created dramatic changes in the United States environment. Superfund aimed to clean up hazardous waste sites in America and protect the health and safety of the general public. Over the years, Superfund legislation has authorized the government to help clean up toxic waste in a variety of effective ways that have ensured the well-being of its citizens. Overall, CERCLA has transformed hazardous waste sites, changed outdated disposal methods used by companies, and sparked environmental awareness. Although Superfund has improved environmental conditions since its inception, this has not always been the case. Before CERCLA, remote landfills were the solution to the growing industrial waste problem prevalent during the 20th century. After the Industrial Revolution, companies, trying to save money, began dumping industrial waste on the extra acres of their land or even sending their waste to regular landfills not equipped to handle chemical waste.1 As time passed , more and more companies have found it acceptable to continue this practice and have exacerbated the growing problem of improperly disposed waste. As a result of this inappropriate dumping of hazardous waste, it was only a matter of time before the effects of hazardous waste exposure on humans began to be seen by the general public. This exposure began to occur through a variety of means. Perhaps one of the most famous and tragic incidents involving humans affected by hazardous waste is the Love Canal Di...... middle of paper ......ell . Simply put, Superfund has led to the transformation of many of the most hazardous waste sites, changed outdated ways of managing toxic waste, and acted as the trigger for a sea change in environmental awareness. Additionally, Superfund really shined a light on the horrible ways we were treating the environment by allowing companies too much freedom to unsafely dispose of the most dangerous chemicals. While the disasters that led to Superfund were tragic, they demonstrated that we needed to change our ways so as not to face the consequences. If it weren't for Superfund, we wouldn't know how to address growing environmental issues, leading to disasters that would dwarf previous ones addressed by law. Superfund has proven, beyond a doubt, that it is one of the most valuable and effective environmental programs ever implemented in the United States.

Topic > The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980 has proven to be one of the most important environmental protection programs of all time. Also known as Superfund, this act created dramatic changes in the United States environment. Superfund aimed to clean up hazardous waste sites in America and protect the health and safety of the general public. Over the years, Superfund legislation has authorized the government to help clean up toxic waste in a variety of effective ways that have ensured the well-being of its citizens. Overall, CERCLA has transformed hazardous waste sites, changed outdated disposal methods used by companies, and sparked environmental awareness. Although Superfund has improved environmental conditions since its inception, this has not always been the case. Before CERCLA, remote landfills were the solution to the growing industrial waste problem prevalent during the 20th century. After the Industrial Revolution, companies, trying to save money, began dumping industrial waste on the extra acres of their land or even sending their waste to regular landfills not equipped to handle chemical waste.1 As time passed , more and more companies have found it acceptable to continue this practice and have exacerbated the growing problem of improperly disposed waste. As a result of this inappropriate dumping of hazardous waste, it was only a matter of time before the effects of hazardous waste exposure on humans began to be seen by the general public. This exposure began to occur through a variety of means. Perhaps one of the most famous and tragic incidents involving humans affected by hazardous waste is the Love Canal Di...... middle of paper ......ell . Simply put, Superfund has led to the transformation of many of the most hazardous waste sites, changed outdated ways of managing toxic waste, and acted as the trigger for a sea change in environmental awareness. Additionally, Superfund really shined a light on the horrible ways we were treating the environment by allowing companies too much freedom to unsafely dispose of the most dangerous chemicals. While the disasters that led to Superfund were tragic, they demonstrated that we needed to change our ways so as not to face the consequences. If it weren't for Superfund, we wouldn't know how to address growing environmental issues, leading to disasters that would dwarf previous ones addressed by law. Superfund has proven, beyond a doubt, that it is one of the most valuable and effective environmental programs ever implemented in the United States.