Number of hazardous waste sites in the U.S. 2023, by state
New Jersey is home to the most hazardous waste sites in the United States, with 115 locations as of April 2023. It was followed by California and Pennsylvania, each with at least 90 sites at the time.
In 1980, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) or "Superfund" was passed. This allowed the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up the most contaminated sites in the United States. As of 2023, there were 1,336 Superfund sites on the National Priorities List (NPL), including the U.S. and its territories. Superfund sites are hazardous waste sites, such as landfills and mines, where toxic waste has been dumped. This toxic waste can leak into groundwater, streams, and soil, causing environmental pollution that can also harm humans.
In 1980, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) or "Superfund" was passed. This allowed the Environmental Protection Agency to clean up the most contaminated sites in the United States. As of 2023, there were 1,336 Superfund sites on the National Priorities List (NPL), including the U.S. and its territories. Superfund sites are hazardous waste sites, such as landfills and mines, where toxic waste has been dumped. This toxic waste can leak into groundwater, streams, and soil, causing environmental pollution that can also harm humans.
