Intergovernmental cleanup at Love Canal: a first crack at the sleeping giant of the decade

Journal Article · · Publius; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/3329807· OSTI ID:6770975

Tyson, R

The story of Love Canal is traced from its construction in 1892 as a navigable power canal to the disclosure of serious health hazards from chemical wastes dumped by the Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corp. and the subsequent governmental and public responses. Public pressure developed to legislate regulations for handling and disposing of toxic wastes and to develop a superfund to cover the costs of hazardous-waste emergencies. The measures taken by New York State to deal with Love Canal include the Interagency Task Force on Hazardous Wastes and the Pure Earth Act, both of which serve as a model for other states and the Federal government. A national survey of hazardous-waste sites revealed the need for immediate cleanup efforts and the extent of the annual generation of hazardous wastes. Individual homeowners have banded together in the Love Canal area to press for remedial action that will protect the health and safety of the remaining residents. 8 references. (DCK)

• OSTI ID: 6770975
• Journal Information: Publius; (United States), Vol. 10:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
NEW YORK
WASTE DISPOSAL
TOXIC MATERIALS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INTERAGENCY COOPERATION
PUBLIC OPINION
SITE SURVEYS
STATE GOVERNMENT
COOPERATION
HAZARDS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MID-ATLANTIC REGION
NORTH AMERICA
USA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
290300* - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety