Superfund and contamination of workers' homes

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/15298668791385877· OSTI ID:5273488

Zirschky, J; Gentry, B; Marcus, P

Although originally conceived as a means to clean up abandoned hazardous waste sites, at least one state is now attempting to use the Superfund (CERCLA) legislation as a means to recover the costs of a home contamination incident. This case has not been litigated yet. If the state is successful, however, the Superfund program would be expanded not only to cover waste disposal practices but also industrial hygiene practices. Industries thus need to review the nature and disposition of their waste material and their industrial hygiene practices in order to assess their full potential exposure under Superfund. The small amounts of chemicals that may leave a factory on workers' clothing and shoes someday could develop into a costly home decontamination project. If a review of past and present industrial hygiene practices reveals that home contamination could have occurred, an industry should take an offensive role in correcting the problem. Not only can taking the initiative in remedying a problem help minimize damage to employee health, morale and public opinion, but clean-up costs can be reduced as well without sacrificing the quality of the remedial action.

• Research Organization: ERM-Southeast, Inc., Marietta, GA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5273488
• Journal Information: Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J.; (United States) Vol. 48:11; ISSN AIHAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
500600* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Regulations-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
BUILDINGS
CONTAMINATION
COST
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HOUSES
LAWS
LIABILITIES
MATERIALS
POLLUTION LAWS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SUPERFUND