The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized its "five-year reviews" for 12 Superfund sites located in Massachusetts. These reviews, a legal requirement after the implementation of cleanup remedies at Superfund sites, ensure ongoing evaluation of the performance of these efforts and assess whether additional actions are necessary to safeguard human health or the environment.

According to EPA's recent assessments, all reviewed sites continue to protect public health and the environment effectively. However, recommendations for follow-up actions were made where deemed necessary. The completed five-year reviews cover a range of locations including W.R. Grace & Co. Inc. (Acton Plant) in Acton, Nyanza Chemical Waste Dump in Ashland, Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant in Bedford, among others.

The Superfund program was established by Congress in 1980 with the purpose of investigating and cleaning up hazardous waste sites across the United States. It aims to facilitate returning these areas to productive use while maintaining public health and environmental safety as its primary goal.

Regular five-year reviews are crucial to verify that cleanup remedies remain effective over time. They help identify any issues that might compromise site safety and recommend necessary measures if needed.

For further details about EPA's Superfund program, interested parties can visit their website at www.epa.gov/superfund.