ABSTRACT
America’s first toxics decade began with deep concern for how poorly America had managed its hazardous wastes. By middecade that issue had mushroomed into an all-out drive for better and safe management not only of wastes but of all hazardous materials in the workplace, the home, and throughout the environment. Abandoned hazardous waste sites and even the management of on-going generation of hazardous wastes had been primarily in the federal domain, with federal legislation providing much of the impetus for activity. In contrast, the hazardous materials management effort began at state or even local levels of government; these jurisdictions handle most of these activities. Frightened by the specter of a Bhopal-style toxics disaster striking the United States, Congress in 1986 expanded on state and local efforts like those in New Jersey and California.
