The document summarizes the Love Canal disaster, where toxic waste was dumped in an abandoned canal from 1942-1953 and homes were later built on the site. In the 1970s, chemicals from the waste started leaking into basements due to heavy rainfall. This led to health issues in the community and the evacuation of over 900 families by 1978-1980. The disaster brought national attention to the issues of hazardous waste disposal and management and led to the establishment of federal legislation like the Superfund Act to address toxic waste cleanup.