Groundwater 'Intrusion' Spurs EPA To Weigh Expanded NPL Listing Policy

摘要

EPA officials are weighing whether to expand the scope of their proposed changes to the Superfund Hazard Ranking System (HRS) to allow sites that have toxic liquids and solids seeping into buildings from groundwater to be eligible for Superfund listing — in addition to listing sites where toxic vapors may be a source of concern.The proposition is being sparked by a unique case in New Jersey where groundwater flooding into local basements is leaving behind hexavalent chromium (Cr6) crystals, but officials are unable to place the site on the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) through the HRS because of the agency's current policy preference for weighing exposure to contaminated drinking water sources.