american cyanamid co., bridgewater nj
The American Cyanamid Co. facility was added to the National Priorities List in 1983 after contamination was found at the site. For over almost 90 years the facility was used to manufacture various chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Improper methods of waste disposal lead to the contamination of waste disposal areas as well as, the soil and groundwater on the 575 acre property. In 1998, EPA deleted a 140-acre portion of the 575-acre site from the National Priorities List, reducing the size of the Superfund site to 435 acres. The 140 acre parcel of land has been redeveloped for commercial use.
american cyanamid running at full operation.
interviews/Media articles
This article discusses the new $74 million cleanup proposal that will make American Cyanamid more of a federal priority. The article also discusses the plan to treat and remove toxic tar from the flood plains, past remedial actions on the Superfund site, the publics reaction and the history of the American Cyanamid facility.
This article discusses the 2011 agreement the EPA made with American Cyanamid to install a system to collect and treat contaminated groundwater. The history of the site and details on the type of contamination are also discussed. Regional Administrator for the EPA, Judish A. Enck is quoted saying, "This agreement requires the company to build a system that will protect the Raritan River and the people who enjoy it, when this seepage problem was first identified, a system was installed on the Raritan River bank using activated carbon to mitigate the contamination as an emergency temporary solution. Now we are requiring this further step to prevent further contamination in the near-term while seeking a comprehensive cleanup for this site in the long-term.”
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This article discusses changes of ownership and the PRPs of the American Cyanamid Superfund site. It primarily discusses the $194 million worth of clean-up work Wyeth has agreed to perform in 2015. EPA spokesperson Judith Enck is quoted saying, "This agreement marks an important milestone in EPA's work to clean up pollution throughout this complex site. This will allow critical work to reduce problems posed by soil and groundwater contamination on parts of the site."
This newspaper article posted in the New York Times in May of 1988, discussed the $84 million clean-up costs for the American Cyanamid Superfund site. The NJDEP commissioner that the time, Richard T. Dwelling, and a spokesman for the Federal EPA were quoted saying that no other company has ever agreed to pay so much for a Superfund site.
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location and ownership
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American Cyanamid Company's Bond Brook facility is located in Bridgewater Township, Somerset County NJ. The site is surrounded by Route 28 to the north, the Raritan River to the south. With interstate 287 and the Somerset Tire Service property to the east, and Foothill Road and the Raritan River to the west of the site. According to the EPA's 2014 5-year report, the waste disposal areas (or impoundments) comprise of about 100 acres. The rest of the property is farmland with a moderate amount of wetland drained by intermittent low streams. Residential homes and farmhouses lie as close as 100 feet from the properties boarders. The surrounding area incompasses a mix of industrial, commercial and residential uses. The facility was built in 1915 by Calco Chemical Company for the production of intermediate chemicals and dyes. In 1929 American Cyanamid Co. purchased the property and expanded facilities to meet the increasing demand for chemicals in the United States. From 1930 to 1999 the facility manufactured pharmaceuticals. American Home Products Corp. acquired Cyanamid in 1994, later changing its name to Wyeth in 2002. Pfizer acquired Wyeth in 2009. Currently, the American Cyanamid Co. Superfund site in Bridgewater is owned by Pfizer Inc., the PRP for the Superfund site. Pfizer is working with federal and state authorities to address the Superfund site. The NJ Department of Environmental Protection was the lead for the site remediation until 2009 when the EPA took over.
site discovery/preliminary assessment
The facility was created in 1915 and from that time to 1999 numerous organic and inorganic chemical raw materials were used at the facility to produce products including rubber chemicals, pharmaceuticals, dyes, pigments, chemical intermediates, and petroleum-based products. The years of manufacturing on the site resulted in the contamination of several impoundments and contamination of the soil and groundwater with volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds and metals. Manufacturing of pharmaceuticals continued until 1999 and by 2000 all buildings on site were demolished.
The site's notice of release of hazardous substance was made in 1981, with the EPA. Conditions of the site have been characterized through a series of remedial investigations to determine the extent and nature of contamination. The preliminary investigations completed in 1981 verified that about half of the site never supported manufacturing, waste storage, or waste disposal activities. The contamination source areas were confined to the main plant area, including the production area and West Yard, and the on-site waste storage impoundments. Impoundments were created in the North South and West Areas t to dispose of and store waste. Analysis of historical records, photographs and sampling indicate that the East Area was not used for manufacturing or waste disposal. Most of the wastes generated from past manufacturing operations were stored in the on-site surface impoundments, while general plant wastes, debris, and other materials were primarily disposed of on the ground at various locations in the West Yard. The impoundments and contaminated soils are the primary focus of remedial investigation efforts due to the fact that they are sources contributing to ground water contamination.
Since being put on the National Priorities List in 1983, a number of human health and ecological risk assessments have been conducted at the American Cyanamid site. These assessments concluded that the impoundments, soils and groundwater presented an unacceptable human health risk to current and future receptors. The baseline endangerment assessment evaluated the potential risks to ecological receptors from exposure to sediment and surface water in the Raritan River and concluded that the impact of the discharge of overburden groundwater discharge to the Raritan River is unlikely to adversely affect the health and diversity of aquatic biota in the Raritan River. The baseline ecological risk assessment concluded that the level of potential impact of site-related contaminants to ecological receptors is likely to below levels of concern. (USEPA, 2014)
The impoundment characterization program was completed in 1990 and a soils investigation was completed in May 1992 to characterize and delineate contaminated soils. A remedial investigation of groundwater was completed in February 2006 and a supplemental groundwater investigation was completed in February 2008. In 2010 groundwater discharge containing elevated benzene concentrations was discovered and addressed through a removal action.
The site's notice of release of hazardous substance was made in 1981, with the EPA. Conditions of the site have been characterized through a series of remedial investigations to determine the extent and nature of contamination. The preliminary investigations completed in 1981 verified that about half of the site never supported manufacturing, waste storage, or waste disposal activities. The contamination source areas were confined to the main plant area, including the production area and West Yard, and the on-site waste storage impoundments. Impoundments were created in the North South and West Areas t to dispose of and store waste. Analysis of historical records, photographs and sampling indicate that the East Area was not used for manufacturing or waste disposal. Most of the wastes generated from past manufacturing operations were stored in the on-site surface impoundments, while general plant wastes, debris, and other materials were primarily disposed of on the ground at various locations in the West Yard. The impoundments and contaminated soils are the primary focus of remedial investigation efforts due to the fact that they are sources contributing to ground water contamination.
Since being put on the National Priorities List in 1983, a number of human health and ecological risk assessments have been conducted at the American Cyanamid site. These assessments concluded that the impoundments, soils and groundwater presented an unacceptable human health risk to current and future receptors. The baseline endangerment assessment evaluated the potential risks to ecological receptors from exposure to sediment and surface water in the Raritan River and concluded that the impact of the discharge of overburden groundwater discharge to the Raritan River is unlikely to adversely affect the health and diversity of aquatic biota in the Raritan River. The baseline ecological risk assessment concluded that the level of potential impact of site-related contaminants to ecological receptors is likely to below levels of concern. (USEPA, 2014)
The impoundment characterization program was completed in 1990 and a soils investigation was completed in May 1992 to characterize and delineate contaminated soils. A remedial investigation of groundwater was completed in February 2006 and a supplemental groundwater investigation was completed in February 2008. In 2010 groundwater discharge containing elevated benzene concentrations was discovered and addressed through a removal action.
contamination
Of the 27 impoundments on the site, 16 were determined through investigative efforts to potentially be contributing to ground water contamination. Impoundments 1, 2, 3, 5, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24 and 26 needed to be addressed under CERCLA. It was noted that the other impoundments (6, 7, 8, 9, 9A, 10, 12, 21, 22, 23, and 25) were either never used (9, 10, and 12), only contain river silt from the facility's former river water treatment plant (22 and 23), contain emergency fire water (21), have been closed with approval of the NJDEP (25, in 1988) or are being closed in accordance with approved Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) closure plans (6, 7, 8, and 9A). The 16 impoundments potentially contributing to ground water contamination were used for storing by-products of rubber chemical production, dye production, and coal tar distillation, as well as for disposal of general plant waste and demolition debris. Total, they contain of about 877,000 tons of waste material.
As of 2012, the EPA identified the following as chemicals of concern for the affected media at the site:
- Present in the impoundments: benzene, nitrobenzene, naphthalene, N-nitrosodiphenylamine and 1,2- dichlorobenzene
- Present in the site soils: antimony, arsenic, benzo(a)pyrene, chromium IV, cobalt and total polychlorinated biphenyls
- Present in the groundwater: benzene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 2-methylnaphthalene, naphthalene, nitrobenzene, n-Nitrosodiphenylamine, toluene and xylene.
As of 2012, the EPA identified the following as chemicals of concern for the affected media at the site:
- Present in the impoundments: benzene, nitrobenzene, naphthalene, N-nitrosodiphenylamine and 1,2- dichlorobenzene
- Present in the site soils: antimony, arsenic, benzo(a)pyrene, chromium IV, cobalt and total polychlorinated biphenyls
- Present in the groundwater: benzene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 2-methylnaphthalene, naphthalene, nitrobenzene, n-Nitrosodiphenylamine, toluene and xylene.
npl listing and prps
On June 8, 1981 Cyanamid filed a general notification of release of hazardous substances with the EPA. On September 8, 1983 the entire Cyanamid facility was officially placed on the National Priorities List of Superfund sites, based on the National Hazard Ranking System.
In December of 1994, American Home Products Corporation, now known as Wyeth Holdings Corporation, purchased American Cyanamid Company. In doing that they assumed full responsibility for environmental remediation. On December 31, 2002 American Cyanamid Company’s name was changed to Wyeth Holdings Corporation (WHC).
In December of 1994, American Home Products Corporation, now known as Wyeth Holdings Corporation, purchased American Cyanamid Company. In doing that they assumed full responsibility for environmental remediation. On December 31, 2002 American Cyanamid Company’s name was changed to Wyeth Holdings Corporation (WHC).
remediation investigations / feasibility study
Due to practical limitations, all 16 of the Superfund impoundments cannot be remediated concurrently. The CERCLA impoundments have been organized into impoundment groups according to waste type, nature of contaminants, and geographical location on the site. The grouping has allowed this complex site to be subdivided into discrete more manageable units. There is also a group of impoundments that fall under RCRA's jurisdiction. The other distinct investigation units of the site are the Hill Property, site-wide soils and ground water. There are seven of these, Operable Units (OUs).
The site has been divided into the following Operable Units for remediation:
OU1: Impoundments 11, 13, 19, and 24
OU2: Impoundments 15, 16, 17, and 18, Hill Property
OU3: Impoundments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 14, 20, and 26
OU4: Site soils
OU5: Site groundwater
OU6: Hill Property soils
OU7: Site-related wetlands
It was not until May of 1988 that American Cyanamid entered into an administrative consent order (ACO) with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection to address the contaminated impoundments, soils and groundwater. American Cyanamid was also required to conduct extensive groundwater monitoring and to pump bedrock extraction wells at a minimum rate of 650,000 gal/day under the New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System/Discharge to Groundwater permit issued in 1987. (USEPA, 2014). In 1994 that permit was amended to include monitoring for the groundwater beneath impoundment 8. In July 2011, Wyeth entered into an administrative order on consent with the EPA to address groundwater discharges into the Raritan River as a removal action. The removal action order required the design and construction of a groundwater removal system to intercept and capture the releases of groundwater into the Raritan River in the vicinity of impoundments 1 and 2. The system was completed in May 2012 and is operating as of 2014. In March 2013, Wyeth entered into an administrative order on consent for the remedial design of the OU4 site-wide remedy, as well as for a focused feasibility study (FFS) for impoundments 1 and 2. OU6, The Hill Property, consisting of 140 acres was deleted from the NPL in 1998. The property included a research lab and administrative buildings, no remedial action was required for this sire. The property has since been redeveloped for commercial use.
The site has been divided into the following Operable Units for remediation:
OU1: Impoundments 11, 13, 19, and 24
OU2: Impoundments 15, 16, 17, and 18, Hill Property
OU3: Impoundments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 14, 20, and 26
OU4: Site soils
OU5: Site groundwater
OU6: Hill Property soils
OU7: Site-related wetlands
It was not until May of 1988 that American Cyanamid entered into an administrative consent order (ACO) with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection to address the contaminated impoundments, soils and groundwater. American Cyanamid was also required to conduct extensive groundwater monitoring and to pump bedrock extraction wells at a minimum rate of 650,000 gal/day under the New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System/Discharge to Groundwater permit issued in 1987. (USEPA, 2014). In 1994 that permit was amended to include monitoring for the groundwater beneath impoundment 8. In July 2011, Wyeth entered into an administrative order on consent with the EPA to address groundwater discharges into the Raritan River as a removal action. The removal action order required the design and construction of a groundwater removal system to intercept and capture the releases of groundwater into the Raritan River in the vicinity of impoundments 1 and 2. The system was completed in May 2012 and is operating as of 2014. In March 2013, Wyeth entered into an administrative order on consent for the remedial design of the OU4 site-wide remedy, as well as for a focused feasibility study (FFS) for impoundments 1 and 2. OU6, The Hill Property, consisting of 140 acres was deleted from the NPL in 1998. The property included a research lab and administrative buildings, no remedial action was required for this sire. The property has since been redeveloped for commercial use.
records of decision
Areas under RCRA Jurisdiction
Impoundments 6,7,8 and 9A are included under RCRA's jurisdiction. Impoundments 6 & 7 were solidified and placed into Impoundment 8. Impoundment 8 was developed into a subtitle-C landfill and completed in 1999. 8 remains the site's landfill, receiving the treated and untreated site contamination. Impoundment 9A was closed in-place by installing a doubly synthetic liner capping system.
OU1 ROD signed on September 28, 1993
Addresses surface impoundments 11, 13, 19 and 24. The selected remedy, Solidification with Consolidation includes the excavation of waste material from each impoundment, on-site solidification of excavated material and consolidation of the solidified material into the impoundment 8 facility. According to the USEPA in 2004, the remediation of Impoundments 11 and 19 was complete. Impoundments 13 and 24 were found to contain less contaminated materials and are to be addressed at a later date. Ground water monitoring was being performed quarterly to assess influences from Impoundments 19 and 24 on the water quality of the Raritan River. As of June in 2004, all remedial actives associated with OU1 have been suspended pending the results of a Comprehensive Site-wide Feasibility Study.
OU2 ROD signed July 12, 1996
Addresses surface impoundments 15, 16, 17 and 18. For impoundments 15 & 16 the selected remedy is: excavation of the material in 16 and consolidation into 15, construction of a cap and groundwater monitoring. In November 1998 the remedy was modified to consist of recycling the material within 15 and 16. For impoundment 17 the remedy selected is: excavation of the material, solidification and placement of the material into impoundment 8. For impoundment 18 the remedy selected is: construction of a fence, maintenance of natural vegetation and ground water monitoring.
OU6 ROD signed July 12, 1996
A March 1992 Baseline Site-Wide Endangerment Assessment Report established that there are no current or future unacceptable risks to human health and the environment associated with the Hill Property. Based on this finding, no remedial actions were required for the Hill Property soils. The Hill Property was deleted from the NPL on December 29, 1998.
OU3 ROD signed on September 28, 1998
Addresses surface impoundments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 14, 20 and 26. They are considered the most contaminated and complex.
Impoundment 1 and 2 were categorized as category A materials. High BTU tar was found within the impoundment and the selected remedy was Low-Temperature Thermal Treatment (LTTT) and placement of material in Impoundment 8.
Impoundments 4, 5, 14 and 20 were categorized as category B materials. Low BTU tar was found within these impoundments. The remedy selected was Biotreatment and placement of treated material in Impoundment 8.
Impoundment 3, considered category C, contained tar mixed with soil fill. The remedy was LTTT and placement of treated material in Impoundment 8.
Non-hazardous material was found in impoundments 5 and 6, category D. The treatment consisted of consolidation in Impoundment 8.
Impoundments 3, 4, 5, 14 and 20 were category E and consisted of general plant debris. The treatment consisted of consolidation in Impoundment 8.
OU4 Surface Soils
A remedy was selected for OU4 in September 2012 and the remedial design is currently underway. (USEPA, 2014) As of 2014, OU4 remedy addresses contaminated groundwater, soils and impoundments 3, 4, 5, 13, 17 and 24.
OU5 Site Groundwater & OU7 Site-related Wetlands
With exception of impoundments 1 and 2, which are being addressed in the newly created OU8 as of 2014, both OU's are being added to the existing OU4. The portions of OU1, OU2 and OU3 that were not completed or actively being remediation are also being combined into the existing OU4. (USEPA, 2014)