THE DISPOSAL OF hazardous waste is a problem that people have been struggling with for more than half a century. As early as 1944, scientists understood that the disposal of industrial wastes threatened the American environment and public health. In that year, an article entitled "The Industrial Waste Problem" described how the improper disposal of industrial wastes could badly contaminate American lakes, rivers, and underground water. "Certain wastes must be particularly treated to prevent poisoning of surface and underground water supplies," the article explained. "Some types of wastes discharged into . . . underground water supplies result in far-reaching damage."

Ten years later, in 1954, researcher W. C. Webb echoed this warning, expressing special concern over the dumping of hazardous industrial wastes in local landfills meant for household garbage. Speaking at an industrial waste conference that brought...