In anticipation of the passage of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA or Superfund), the Office of Research and Development of the USEPA began a program in 1980 to support the Agency's activities concerned with uncontrolled hazardous waste sites. In the area of environmental engineering and technology, the Agency looked to the ongoing and established programs in land disposal of hazardous waste and hazardous spill cleanup. A research program was established to develop and evaluate removal and remedial cleanup technology. The Superfund program has been organized into four research areas: (1) containment technologies for remedial actions; (2) on-site cleanup equipment; (3) in-situ treatment of hazardous waste/contaminated soils; and (4) personnel protection.