What does the acronym SARA signify in relation to hazardous materials?

The acronym SARA stands for the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. This act, enacted in 1986, amended the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), which was initially established to address the cleanup of hazardous waste sites in the United States. SARA emphasized the importance of specifying the roles of states in waste management and enhanced the focus on community participation in the decision-making processes regarding hazardous waste cleanup.

One of the key components of SARA is the creation of the right-to-know provisions, which require local governments to inform communities about potential hazards in their environments. This act also established the framework for assessing and managing the health and environmental effects of hazardous substances. Understanding SARA is crucial for those in emergency management and environmental protection, as it lays the groundwork for how hazardous materials are regulated and managed at the federal and state levels.