Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
A. Explain what it means when a site is listed as a Superfund site (2 points maximum):
• 1 point: Superfund sites are areas contaminated with hazardous waste, including both groundwater
and soil pollution.
• 1 point: Superfund sites are administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
B. Name and explain the law that is also called the "Superfund" (2 points maximum):
• 1 point: Comprehensive Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).
• 1 point: The "Superfund" provides for federal money to be used for the cleanup of hazardous-waste
sites, including accidents and spills. If a party responsible for the spill can be identified, the EPA has
the power to ensure that the party is held accountable for the cleanup. If the responsible party cannot
be identified or if they refuse to pay for cleanup, the "Superfund" monies will pay for the remedi-
ation of the hazardous waste site.
C. Describe three likely consequences to the Duwamish River ecosystem as a result of the contamina-
tion (3 points maximum):
• 1 point: Loss of vegetation, leading to the loss of other organisms dependent upon plant life for food,
shelter, and breeding grounds.
• 1 point: Poisoning of organisms, which can reduce the populations of species and may result in some
species being threatened or endangered.
• 1 point: Loss of biodiversity in the river ecosystem if some species are lost or populations are dimin-
ished.
• 1 point: Loss of nurseries for the laying and protection of eggs.
• 1 point: Bioaccumulation and biomagnifications of the contaminants in organisms, causing a range
of health-related issues.
• 1 point: Potential for contaminants to act as endocrine disruptors, affecting reproduction and off-
spring.
D. Select one of the listed contaminants and cite a possible source and its potential health effects on hu-
mans (1 point maximum):
• 1 point: Polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs) are industrial chemicals commonly added to plastics,
paints, and sealants. They can act as endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, and neurotoxins, and affect
the reproductive and immune systems.
• 1 point: Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are created from the incomplete combustion of
fossil fuels, garbage, and other products. They are found in plastics, pesticides, some medicines, and
dyes. PAHs can be found naturally or can be man-made. It is thought that PAHs can affect the repro-
ductive and immune systems and may also act as carcinogens, teratogens, and mutagens, while also
damaging the skin.
• 1 point: Arsenic occurs naturally in some soils and can infiltrate water sources when leached out of
sediment and carried via runoff and percolation through the soil. Exposure can occur through con-
sumption of contaminated foods or via inhalation of particles. It can lead to skin disorders, lung and
skin cancer, internal and organ damage, gastrointestinal problems, and neurological issues.
• 1 point: Dioxins are unintentionally created as a result of many processes, including incomplete
combustion in reactions during smoking of cigarettes, vehicle emissions, and wood and coal burn-
ing. They are created during paper bleaching and metal recycling. Air, soil, water, and foods all can
carry dioxins. Health effects of dioxins include skin disease and negative impacts on the immune
and endocrine systems; they also can act as teratogens.
