Which act focuses on the management and clean-up of hazardous substances?

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as Superfund, is the primary legislation that addresses the management and clean-up of hazardous substances. This act empowers the federal government to respond directly to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances that could endanger public health or the environment.

Under CERCLA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is tasked with identifying hazardous waste sites, prioritizing them based on the level of risk they pose, and overseeing the clean-up efforts. The act also establishes a trust fund, known colloquially as the Superfund, which is financed by taxes on the chemical and petroleum industries to help pay for clean-up activities when responsible parties are not identified or cannot be held liable.

The emphasis of CERCLA is on the remediation of sites contaminated with hazardous substances, which is a critical element for ensuring safety and environmental health. By focusing specifically on clean-up and liability, this act plays a vital role in protecting both human health and the ecosystem from the risks associated with hazardous waste.

In contrast, the other acts listed have different focuses—for instance, the Safe Drinking Water Act primarily ensures the quality of drinking water, while the Toxic Substances Control Act regulates the introduction of new or already existing chemicals.