Enviro-Net

News Update

GAO: EPA should take actions to manage risks to Superfund sites from climate change

Staff report

Climate change may increase the frequency and intensity of certain natural disasters that could damage Superfund sites—the nation’s most contaminated hazardous waste sites.

Federal data suggests about 60 percent of Superfund sites overseen by EPA are in areas that may be impacted by wildfires and different types of flooding—natural hazards that may be exacerbated by climate change.

EPA has taken some actions to manage risks at these sites, however, the U.S. Government Accountability Office suggested it provide direction on integrating climate information into site-level decision making to ensure long-term protection of human health and the environment.

Source: GAO-20-73: Published: Oct 18, 2019. Publicly Released: Nov 18, 2019