Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way
  Search
new jersey department of environmental protection
NJ Home Page Services A to Z NJ FAQs NJ Departments/Agencies departments
site remediation program

SRP Home | DEP Home

Community Relations Community Relations Site List Research Organics Inorganics

 

Research Organics Inorganics

507 Main Street
Belleville Township, Essex County
PI #: 023215

BLOCK: 38 LOT: 1

Community Relations Coordinator: Heather Swartz (609) 984-7135

SITE DESCRIPTION/RESOLUTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS:
As of 28 June 2004

Research Organics Inorganics manufactured and supplied specialty chemicals between 1972 and 1983. Belleville Township and NJDEP closed the facility in 1983 after an inspection revealed chemicals were being improperly stored and discharged at the site. The Township and NJDEP removed more than 1,000 drums and 12,000 containers of reactive materials and 230 pounds of radioactive materials between 1983 and 1987 under an Interim Remedial Measure (IRM). In 1986, NJDEP’s Remedial Response Element began a Remedial Investigation and Remedial Action Selection (RI/RAS) to delineate the contamination in the soil and ground water and evaluate cleanup alternatives. Based on the initial findings, NJDEP issued a Decision Document in 1989 that required excavation of contaminated soil, decommissioning of the underground storage tanks and decontamination of the building. NJDEP removed approximately 700 tons of contaminated soil and 35 tons of PCB-contaminated materials from the site during the remedial action, which was completed in 1992. NJDEP completed investigation of the ground water in 1995. The RI/RAS revealed that although the ground water at the site was contaminated with organic compounds and metals, the contamination was confined to a limited area and was not migrating. The RI/RAS also showed that the contaminant levels in the ground water were decreasing over time. Based on these findings and the fact that ground water in the area is not used for potable water supplies, NJDEP issued a second Decision Document in 1995 that selected natural attenuation as the final remedy to address the ground water contamination, with quarterly monitoring of the ground water for a minimum of two years. The Decision Document also required establishment of a ground water Classification Exception Area (CEA) at the site. Two years of ground water monitoring showed that the levels of contaminants in the ground water diminished but did not disappear as expected. The property was sold at public auction in 2000 and a commercial facility opened at the site in 2001. The $495,000 generated by the sale was used to compensate NJDEP and Belleville Township for part of their cleanup costs. NJDEP continues to monitor the ground water pursuant to the requirements of the CEA, and plans to install two additional monitor wells at the site in 2003 to further evaluate ground water contamination at the rear of the property.

 

Inactive OCR Site

Please be advised that these cases labeled by OCR as inactive may still be undergoing remedial activities but OCR has no involvement. Documents that are available on this page associated with the inactive list may not reflect the current status of a case.

Related Links