Superfund program

The Superfund program, administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is responsible for cleaning up sites contaminated with hazardous substances. Recent investigative reporting from the Flatwater Free Press and ProPublica has brought the program's effectiveness into question, particularly concerning lead contamination in Omaha, Nebraska. Despite significant investment and EPA-declared successes in cleaning up areas around a former lead smelter, testing revealed that over half the yards in a section of East Omaha still contain unsafe levels of lead. This contamination poses a risk of high blood-lead levels in children, especially in historically Black neighborhoods. The investigations found that even yards previously remediated by the EPA exceeded the agency's own lead threshold, and nearby properties with high contamination often went unaddressed. These findings highlight ongoing challenges in achieving complete and equitable cleanup under the Superfund program, raising concerns about its current relevance and the long-term health impacts on affected communities.