Mercer Rubber Offsite Investigation Fact Sheet
(Sayen Gardens)
Hamilton Township, Mercer County
January 10,2007
Overview
During the week of October 10, 2006 the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection (NJDEP) conducted sampling efforts in the wooded area of Sayen
Gardens, across the street from the former Mercer Rubber Plant in Hamilton
Township, Mercer County. The sampling of the area was in response to:
- recommendations made by the Agency For Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry (ATSDR) and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) as part of their Public Health Assessment of the former
Mercer Rubber Plant in Hamilton Township. The health assessment was
in response to concerns raised by members of the Hamilton community.
Recommendations made by the agencies to NJDEP were to collect soil and
shallow ground water samples in the area of the alleged dumping activities
to evaluate the potential for vapor intrusion into residential homes;
- allegations made by former employees of illegal disposal practices
related to the Mercer Rubber Company. Based on the allegations, multiple
locations were identified to be sampled.
Summary of Results
Sampling Parameters - All 69 soil, surface water and sediment samples
were analyzed for a full spectrum of parameters which included metals,
pesticides, semi-volatile organic compounds and volatile organic compounds.
Some samples were analyzed for dioxin congeners associated with the former
employee allegations and operations at Mercer Rubber. All nine ground
water samples taken were analyzed for volatile organic compounds.
Dumping Areas
Former workers of the Mercer Rubber Plant identified three dumping areas.
Listed below are the areas as they are referred to in the DEP investigation
and the extent of sampling associated with each area:
Area North of Sayen House - Eight soil boring locations were
sampled; one shallow and one deep soil sample collected at each location
for a total of 16 soil samples. One ground water sample was taken in this
area.
Area near the skating pond - Four shallow soil boring locations
were sampled from within the area. One ground water sample was taken in
this area.
Skating Pond - Two sediment samples and two surface water samples
were taken.
Results:
No contaminants were detected in any of the ground water or drinking water
samples taken and, as such, NJDEP and NJDOH conclude that no indoor air
testing is necessary.
Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), contaminants commonly
associated with asphalt, tar and combustion practices, were detected at
levels slightly above the residential soil cleanup criteria in one of
the 12 shallow soil samples tested. Lead was detected in two of the locations.
No contaminants exceeded the standards in the deeper soils of the same
locations.
NJDEP and NJDOH conclude that the soils do not indicate a health risk
based on contaminant concentration, background levels and expected exposure
scenarios.
The sediment of the Skating Pond had low levels of PAHs, metals and pesticides
at levels slightly above the ecologically-based sediment quality criteria
used by NJDEP. NJDEP considers the levels found in the sediment to be
consistent with what is typically found in waterbodies receiving runoff
in a developed environment.
Hamilton Township and NJDEP have agreed to continue to limit the access
to these areas to accomodate any additional testing that may be requested.
Unnamed Tributary of Miry Run
The length of the unnamed tributary of Miry Run within the Sayen Gardens
was sampled. A total of 11 locations were sampled approximately 140 feet
apart, beginning at the outfall wall located near Mercer Street. Each
location included one surface water sample and two sediment samples (1
shallow, 1 at depth) for a total of 22 sediment samples.
Results:
Various test locations of the Miry Run did show elevated levels of metals
and PAHs; however, the levels found are not unusual compared to what is
typically found in waterways due to runoff in a developed environment.
Petroleum product was detected in one location in the stream. That location
will be delineated and remediated.
Additional Ground Water
Along Unnamed Tributary - Two ground water samples were collected.
One near the outfall and one near the skating pond.
Existing Onsite Wells - Two wells that service the irrigation
and fountains (non-potable) at the site were sampled for volatile organic
compounds. One well is located in the front of the property, one well
is located near the Sayen House.
Private Domestic Wells - Three private domestic wells along
Zieglers Lane were sampled on September 21, 2006 for volatile organic
compounds.
Results:
No contaminants were detected in the drinking water or ground water tested.
NJDEP and NJDOH conclude that no indoor air testing is necessary.
Background Samples
Corner of Hughes Drive and Mercer Street - One soil boring
was advanced at the southwest corner of the property. One shallow and
one deep soil sample were collected.
Firehouse retention basin - One shallow sediment sample was
collected.
Results:
Corner of Hughes and Mercer - No soil exceedances were identified.
Firehouse retention basin - Sediment sampled in the basin identified
low levels of metals, pesticides and PAHs consistent with runoff in a
developed environment.
Future Actions:
- NJDEP will delineate the known soil contamination in the dumping
areas and the petroleum location in the brook this spring.
- At the time of the October sampling event NJDEP was informed that
additional areas of the Gardens may have buried fill material. NJDEP
plans to do further testing in these areas and will share the results
with the community.
- NJDEP will present the results from the further delineation of the
soil areas to the community when they become available and advise the
community of any NJDOH/ATSDR review of results.
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Related Links
For more information please contact Lynette Lurig, NJDEP Community Relations Coordinator at (609) 633-1314.
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