1.10 Select an environmental controversy (e.g., proposed landfill, Superfund site,
suspected contamination) and comment on progress (or lack thereof) since the landmark cases such
as Love Canal.
The Ciba Specialty Chemicals site at Toms River, New Jersey was listed as a Superfund Site in 1983.
First, the site hosted a dye manufacturing plant, then an additives and plastic making business. As a result
of waste disposal, that was legal at the time, groundwater at the Toms River Site was contaminated. As
soon as the site was listed as a Superfund site, remediation began under the Environmental Protection
Agency. Since that time, the first of a two-phase remediation effort has been completed. This first
project was the installation of a full-scale pump-and-treat system. Currently, the second project is
underway, which involves the areas at the site that are the sources of groundwater contamination.
(www.epa.org)
Clearly progress has been made since the enactment of the Superfund law. However, like most Superfund
sites, remediation progress has been slow
[Note: answers will vary from student to student]