Legal Definitions - National Priorities List

The National Priorities List (NPL) is a list created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that identifies the most serious hazardous waste sites in the United States. These sites are considered to be uncontrolled or abandoned and require long-term remediation to protect public health and the environment.

For example, the Love Canal in New York was added to the NPL in 1983. This site was once a chemical waste dump that contaminated the surrounding soil and water with toxic chemicals. The EPA has been working to clean up the site for over 30 years.

Another example is the West Lake Landfill in Missouri, which was added to the NPL in 1990. This site contains radioactive waste from the Manhattan Project and has been a source of concern for nearby residents for decades. The EPA is currently working on a plan to address the contamination at the site.

The NPL is an important tool for identifying and addressing hazardous waste sites in the United States. By prioritizing the most serious sites for cleanup, the EPA can help protect public health and the environment from the harmful effects of hazardous waste.