Department of Toxic Substances Control

Approximately one hundred thousand private and public facilities generate one or more of the 800-plus wastes considered hazardous under California law. The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) regulates those who handle hazardous waste, cleans up existing contamination and looks for ways to reduce the hazardous waste produced in California.

Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), DTSC oversees the investigation and cleanup of groundwater and soil contaminated with chemicals at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory. Also under RCRA, DTSC has the authority to issue and enforce hazardous waste facility permits. Permits are needed for facilities which treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste at their facility. Boeing has four areas under DTSC permits, and DTSC oversees all chemical (non-radioactive) hazardous waste activities in these areas.