Clean Up Technologies
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Clean Up Technologies
Contaminants must be identified and their potential threat assessed, sites must be characterized and investigated, and media must be treated or removed to address contamination. EPA uses a wide variety technologies in all these activities with the goal of ensuring contaminants are either removed from the site or are treated in such a way so they no longer pose a threat to human health and the environment.
Characterization and monitoring technologies typically help to:
- characterize and monitor site conditions;
- determine the nature of the waste; and
- track progress towards achieving cleanup goals.
Remediation technologies typically help to:
- treat contaminants; and
- remove contaminants.
EPA has developed 2-page fact sheet Citizens' Guides that explain, in basic terms, the operation and application of the most frequently used innovative treatment technologies. Note: There are English and Spanish versions of each guide. A flyer containing more information about the Citizen's Guide series, including ordering information is available for download in English Ordering Information (PDF) (4 pp, 663K, About PDF) and Spanish Ordering Information (PDF) (4 pp, 488K, About PDF).
A wealth of information is available on characterization, monitoring, and remediation technologies. EPA developed the Hazardous Waste Clean-Up Information (CLU-IN) website
to provide useful and comprehensive information about innovative treatment and site characterization technologies and to serve as a forum for the hazardous waste remediation community.
In addition, EPA sponsors or participates several technology innovation and information transfer initiatives and partnerships.