Site Assessment
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
The Superfund site assessment process is used to evaluate potential or confirmed releases of hazardous substances that may pose a threat to human health or the environment. The process is guided by criteria established under the Hazard Ranking System (HRS) and is carried out by EPA, State, Tribal, or other Federal Agency environmental programs. Following notification of a potential site, a series of assessments are carried out until a final decision is reached regarding the need for remedial cleanup attention. Several cleanup approaches are available. The following diagram illustrates the major components of the site assessment process.
Major Components of EPA's Superfund Site Assessment Process
The following links provide more information about the Superfund site assessment process, the numbers and results of assessments completed, the numbers of sites still needing assessment, and information on the various cleanup options available for those sites needing remedial cleanup attention.
Links
- Overview
- Site Assessment Progress
- Site Assessment Process
- Pre-CERCLIS Screening
- Federal Facility Hazardous Waste Compliance Docket
- Preliminary Assessment and Site Inspection
- Preliminary Assessment Petition (PDF) (4 pp, 485 K) - officially request an assessment of a potential hazardous waste site
- National Priorities List site listing process
- Cleanup Alternatives
- Site Assessment Training
- HRS Training Course: Online or Classroom
- Introduction to the Hazard Ranking System
- Site Assessment Guidance
- HRS Toolbox - find current guidance documents that may be used to determine whether a site is a candidate for inclusion on the NPL (including PA, SI and HRS)
- Federal Facilities Preliminary Assessment Summary Guide (PDF)(39 pp, 2.8 M) and Site Inspection Summary Guide (PDF)(53 pp, 2.8 M).
- Site Assessment Tools and Apps
- HRS Quickscore - use this set of electronic HRS scoresheets to execute real time site score calculations
- Search CERCLIS – find current information about sites in EPA's Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Information System (CERCLIS) database
Superfund Help: Acronyms | Topics | Frequent Questions | Publications | Sitemap