The Superfund remedial action decision process: A review of fifty records of decision

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/08940630.1989.10466646· OSTI ID:6695154

Doty, C B; Travis, C C ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)

Although the Superfund remedial action decision process is a complex process involving a variety of technical, political, and public health issues, the primary goal of remedial action is the protection of public health. The authors performed an in-depth analysis of 50 post-SARA Records of Decision in order to characterize the role of risk assessment in the decision-making process and determine whether decisions are being made in an effective and environmentally protective manner. The authors findings indicate that the majority of decisions to remediate Superfund sites are based on the existence of contamination per se and not on actual public health risk. Although hypothetical risk is an essential consideration, this gray area is not well-defined in the current decision-making process. The lack of assessment of the degree of risk reduction associated with the remedial alternatives evaluated and the lack of support indicating the effectiveness of the remedial alternatives selected also constitute major weaknesses in the majority of decisions. These inadequacies undermine rationales regarding the protectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the remedial alternatives selected. the fact that objectives beyond addressing public health risk are often unclear in the decision-making process also weakens rationales for cost-effectiveness.

• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6695154
• Journal Information: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of the Air and Waste Management Association; (USA) Vol. 39:12; ISSN JAWAE; ISSN 1047-3289
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
DECISION MAKING
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
LAWS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
POLLUTION LAWS
PUBLIC HEALTH
RISK ASSESSMENT
SUPERFUND
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT