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THE SIMPLE FACTSTM...Environmental Law refers to statutes, common law, and other legal provisions relating to the quality, protection, and preservation of air, water, and land resources, as well as certain species. Environmental cases are usually brought on behalf of persons whose properties or other rights have been affected by toxic contamination or pollution.
For other Toxic exposures (e.g., asbestos exposure (mesothelioma cancer), benzene exposure (leukemia) and others, see our Toxic Exposure page.
We have all heard the words – Superfund or Brown fields - talked about in the media. Some of the most historical and environmentally devastating cases - Love Canal, DDT pesticide - happened in the last 30 to 40 years. A couple of the largest environmental contamination cases have dealt with groundwater contamination in California and heavy metal contamination in West Virginia.
Environmental Law includes federal, state, and local laws related to environmental and natural resource protection. Some of the Federal laws and agencies that have been enacted to help in promoting the ideals of quality, protection, and preservation of air, water, and land resources, as well as certain species include:
- National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”)
- Clean Air Act (“CWA”)
- Clean Water Act (“CWA”)
- Endangered Species Act (“ESA”)
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”, aka “Superfund”)
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”)
- Toxic Substances and Control Act (“TSCA”)
- Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, & Rodenticide Act (“FIFRA”)
- Environmental Community Right to Know Act
- Occupational Safety and Health Organization
- Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”)
- Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”)
In today’s growing world and fast paced environment, it is increasingly difficult for our governmental agencies - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – to effectively monitor and evaluate these chemicals.
The world of chemical manufacturing has grown rapidly over the last 75 years, and incredibly, tens of thousands of synthetic chemicals have been developed for use in foods, cosmetics, fertilizers, pesticides, and other products. And, not surprisingly, some of the most historical and environmentally devastating cases – Love Canal, “DDT pesticide, happened in the last 30 to 40 years. One of the largest environmental toxic contamination cases dealt with groundwater contamination in California.
Toxic contamination or pollution may occur when companies or individuals produce, store, transport, or sale certain harmful substances. The consequences of toxic exposure, e.g. heavy metal contamination, ground water contamination, can include harm to property and injuries - irritation, mutation, birth defects, cancer, cardiovascular problems, respiratory problems, neurological disorders, and even death - to people.
Quite frankly, the simple factsTM about the environmental and toxic abuses carried out by individuals and companies resulting in contamination of our environment and harm to property and people are unacceptable.
We are here to help you to Preserve and Protect the Quality of our air, water, and land resources from Toxic Contamination and Pollution.
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