Massachusetts is among the top 20 states by number of active Superfund sites. The EPA’s National Priorities List currently includes 32 active NPL sites in Massachusetts, with 41 total entries when proposed and deleted sites are included. The most hazardous site has an HRS score of 72.42 out of a maximum of 100. 1 additional site is proposed for the NPL and awaiting final listing. 8 sites have been cleaned up and removed from the list. The interactive map below shows all NPL sites in Massachusetts – click any marker for site details, HRS score, and a link to the EPA’s site profile.
Superfund Statistics for Massachusetts
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Active NPL Sites | 32 |
| Proposed NPL Sites | 1 |
| Deleted (cleaned up) | 8 |
| Total NPL Entries | 41 |
| Highest HRS Score | 72.42 |
| Average HRS Score (active) | 56.8 |
| EPA Region | Region 1 |
Highest-Risk Superfund Sites in Massachusetts
The table below lists the active NPL sites in Massachusetts sorted by Hazard Ranking System (HRS) score. The HRS is a 0-100 scale used by the EPA to assess the potential threat to human health and the environment. Sites scoring 28.50 or above qualify for NPL listing.
| Site Name | City / County | HRS Score | EPA ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industri-Plex | Woburn, Middlesex | 72.42 | MAD076580950 |
| Nyanza Chemical Waste Dump | Ashland, Middlesex | 69.22 | MAD990685422 |
| Baird & McGuire | Holbrook, Norfolk | 66.35 | MAD001041987 |
| Creese & Cook Tannery (Former) | Danvers, Essex | 60.57 | MAD001031574 |
| W.R. Grace & Co., Inc. (Acton Plant) | Acton, Middlesex | 59.31 | MAD001002252 |
| Nuclear Metals, Inc. | Concord, Middlesex | 58.31 | MAD062166335 |
| Walton & Lonsbury Inc. | Attleboro, Bristol | 58.30 | MAD001197755 |
| Sutton Brook Disposal Area | Tewksbury, Middlesex | 57.12 | MAD980520696 |
| Natick Laboratory Army Research, Development, and Engineering Center | Natick, Middlesex | 50.00 | MA1210020631 |
| Hanscom Field/Hanscom Air Force Base | Bedford, Middlesex | 50.00 | MA8570024424 |
| Blackburn and Union Privileges | Walpole, Norfolk | 50.00 | MAD982191363 |
| Microfab, Inc. (Former) | Amesbury, Essex | 50.00 | MAD001409408 |
| Olin Chemical | Wilmington, Middlesex | 50.00 | MAD001403104 |
| South Weymouth Naval Air Station | Weymouth, Norfolk | 50.00 | MA2170022022 |
| Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant | Bedford, Middlesex | 50.00 | MA6170023570 |
Superfund Cleanup Progress in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has made measurable progress on Superfund cleanup: 8 sites have been fully remediated and removed from the National Priorities List. The remaining 32 active sites are at various stages of investigation and cleanup. EPA cleanup timelines vary widely depending on contamination type, site complexity, and the availability of responsible parties to fund remediation.
About the Superfund Program in EPA Region 1
The Superfund program, formally known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), gives the EPA authority to clean up contaminated sites that pose risks to public health or the environment. Sites are assessed using the Hazard Ranking System (HRS) – a score of 28.50 or above triggers NPL listing and formal cleanup proceedings. Massachusetts falls under EPA Region 1, which coordinates Superfund investigations, cleanups, and community engagement for the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Superfund sites are in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has 32 active sites on the EPA National Priorities List, plus 1 proposed site awaiting final listing. Including sites that have been cleaned up and removed, the total NPL count for Massachusetts is 41.
What is the most contaminated Superfund site in Massachusetts?
Based on HRS score, the highest-risk active Superfund site in Massachusetts is Industri-Plex near Woburn, with an HRS score of 72.42. The HRS score reflects the site’s potential to harm human health or the environment through groundwater, surface water, soil, or air pathways.
How does the EPA decide which sites go on the Superfund list?
The EPA uses the Hazard Ranking System to score sites based on the likelihood of a release, the characteristics of the waste, and the people or environments that could be affected. Sites scoring 28.50 or higher are eligible for the National Priorities List. Once listed, sites become eligible for federally funded cleanup or enforcement against responsible parties under CERCLA.
Superfund Sites in Nearby States
Explore Superfund data for states bordering Massachusetts: Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont. For a national overview, see the US Superfund Sites map.
