ECOL 206: Finding Information on Superfund Sites

For further assistance, contact Jeanne Pfander or Danielle Carlock.

An EPA Superfund site in the community might be worth pursuing as a topic for the ECOL 206 group project. This document will guide you through the process of researching EPA superfund sites.

Sources of Background Information about Superfund and Superfund Sites

For a description of Superfund and Superfund sites, see the EPA FAQ: http://epa.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/epa.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php
For general information about how Superfund sites are cleaned up see http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/cleanup/index.htm
For information about common contaminants and their health effects see http://www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/er/hazsubs/sources.htm

Finding in-depth information about Superfund sites

NOTE: Since the EPA uses a lot of unfamiliar jargon, you will probably need to look at the Data Element Dictionary http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/ded/index.htm at various points in your search.

It may be necessary to search more than one database to get maximum information about a Superfund site.
Begin at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/siteinfo.htm
Begin by clicking on the CERCLIS database link. In the search box for state choose Arizona, then click search at the bottom of the screen.
Now you should have a list of Superfund sites in Arizona, and will want to pick a specific local site for further study. Sites that are on the National Priorities List will have the most in depth information associated with them. For the purposes of the group project it may be best to pick one of these for study. You can search for NPL sites in Arizona by going to http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/npl.htm
Once you've determined which Superfund site you will study, go back to the CERCLIS database. Enter the name of your site (or the site's EPA ID number) or simply do a search for Superfund sites in Arizona to bring up the list of sites.
Click on the link for your chosen site. If the site is on the National Priorities List (see NPL status) there will be a fact sheet here. Click on this link for lots of valuable information. If the site is not on the National Priorities List, you will find limited information here.
Some Superfund sites can also be found in the RODS (Record of Decision) database http://cfpub.epa.gov/superrods/srchrods.cfm. Search for your EPA site either by name or EPA number. If your site is contained here, you will be able to download full-text PDF files that provide in-depth information about your site.

Obtaining Further Information

Search for Superfund sites in Newsbank, which contains articles from local newspapers. Access articles by going to America's Newspapers (NewsBank).
Search for Superfund sites in Academic Search Premier, a full text system for popular magazines and journals. Access through Academic Search Premier.
Investigate the relationship between Superfund site(s) and data such as minority populations or waterways. Go to the Arizona Electronic Atlas. There are tutorials and learning modules on the site that can help guide you.