The Superfund program is a federal initiative in the United States designed to clean up the nation's most hazardous waste sites. Established by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) in 1980, it aims to protect public health and the environment from the dangers posed by contaminated land and water. The program identifies and prioritizes sites that require cleanup, often funded by a trust established from taxes on the chemical and petroleum industries. Once a site is listed on the National Priorities List (NPL), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversees the cleanup process, ensuring that hazardous substances are safely removed or contained.