United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of
Emergency and
Remedial Response
EPA/ROD/R02-83/003
September 1983
f/ERA
Superfund
Record of Decision:
Chemical Control Site, NJ
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instructions on the reverse before completing)
1. REPORT NO.
EPA/ROD/RO2-83/003
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION NO.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
SUPERFUND RECORD OF DECISION:
Chemical Control Site, NJ
5. REPORT DATE
09/19/83
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR(S)
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
401 "M" Street, S. W.
Washington, D. C. 20460
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Final ROD POTVIT-+-
opot
3ETNC-
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
800/00
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
16. ABSTRACT
The Chemical Control site is located in the City of Elizabeth in Union County,
New Jersey. This site operated as a hazardous waste storage, treatment and disposal
facility accepting various types of chemicals including acids, arsenic bases, cyanides
flammable solvents, PCBs, compressed bases, biological agents, and pesticides.
The cost-effective remedial action selected for this site includes removal of
gas cylinders, reconstruction of storm sewer catch basins and grates, cleaning of the
storm sewer system, construction of curbing and decontamination of five box haulers
and one vaccuum truck on-site. The hazardous materials generated by these remedial
actions will be transported off-site to a RCRA approved disposal site. The estimated
project cost is $732,500.
17.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b.lDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
c. COSATI Field/Group
Record of Decision
Site Name: Chemical Control Site, NJ
Contaminated media: gw, soil
Key Contaminants: organic solvents, acids,
bases, arsenic, cyanides; flammable sol-
vents, PCBs, pesticides, biological agents,
inorganics
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
19. SECURITY CLASS (TillsReport!
None
21. NO. OF PAGES
8
20. SECURITY CLASS (Thispage)
None
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (R»v. 4-77) PREVIOUS EDITION is OBSOLETE
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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL,PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20460
OFFICE OF
SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
MEMORANDUM
SEP 1 9 1983
SUBJECT
FROM
TO:
Authorization to Proceed With Remedial Actions at
the Chemical Control Corporation Site, Elizabeth,
New Jersey — ACTION MEMORANDUM
William N. Hedeman, Jr.,
Office of Emergency and Remedial Response*(WH-548)
Lee M. Thomas, Assistant Administrator
Office of Solid Waste & Emergency Response (WH-562-A)
PURPOSE
The purpose of this memorandum is to request authorization
to proceed with remedial actions at the Chemical Control
Corporation in Elizabeth, New Jersey. It is the intent of the
State to enter into a Superfund State Contract with EPA.
BACKGROUND
Chemical Control Corporation is considered a high priority
site by the State of New Jersey and is ranked high on the
National Priorities List. It is located in the City of
Elizabeth in Union County, New Jersey.
This site was a hazardous waste storage, treatment and
disposal facility which accepted various types of chemicals
including acids, arsenic bases, cyanides, flammable solvents,
polychlorinated biphenyls, compressed bases, biological agents,
shock sensitive chemicals, pyrophoric materials and pesticides.
A huge fire on April 21, 1980 destroyed the site and
necessitated a.massive cleanup action which was initiated by
the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).
This cleanup action included removal of surface drums, bulk
storage tanks, all buildings, contaminated soil and the
installation of a ground water decontamination system. The
site is currently enclosed by a chain link fence.
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Prior to and during the April 1980 fire, drums may have
fallen into the Elizabeth River. The drums were stacked four
high along the entire length of the site on the river bank. An
investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard revealed the presence of
metallic objects on the river bed along the site. During the
initial clean-up operation several storm sewer catch basins were
physically removed or damaged by heavy equipment. Other catch
basins and manholes were sealed off with sand to prevent contam-
inated run-off water from entering the Elizabeth River and the
Arthur Kill. This action has caused excessive flooding on South
Front Street and the site itself, as well as potentially
spreading the contamination now contained in the catch basins.
There are two hundred gas cylinders on site of
questionable structural integrity as they have been damaged by
burial and extremes of temperature. The exact contents of the
cylinders are unknown, but they are believed to contain a
variety of hazardous substances.
Five box trailers and a vacuum truck are contaminated with
residual materials. The relocation of these vehicles is required
to expedite the feasibility study. The vehicles will be
decontaminated on-site and moved to a clean location.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
An environmental fact sheet was prepared and distributed
to local industries, citizens, and local politicians. It
described the proposed studies and initial remedial measures
for the site, the location of public documents available for
review, and the commencement of a two-week public comment
period on the proposed initial remedial measures.
The public comment period was held from August 17-31, 1983,
All the public comments supported the plans for removal and
disposal of the gas cylinders, reconstruction and cleaning
of the storm sewer system, construction of curbing and
decontamination of the six vehicles located on the site.
A public meeting will be held when the feasibility
studies begin to develop the long-term cost-effective clean up
alternatives for the suspected drums in the Elizabeth River and
final site closure. Also, a public meeting will be held to
discuss the alternatives developed and to select the proper
course of action.
ENFORCEMENT - See Attached.
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-3-
PROPOSED PROJECT
An initial remedial measure will be performed at the site
which will include the removal of 200 gas cylinders of unknown
composition for venting, analysis, and treatment at a RCRA
approved treatment facility. Engineering and construction
services will also be provided for the initial remedial measure
of reconstruction of storm sewer catch basins and grates,
cleaning of the storm sewer system, construction of curbing
and decontamination of five box trailers and one vacuum
truck on-site. The hazardous residue generated, from the
cleaning of storm sewers and the decontamination of vehicles,
will be transported off-site to a RCRA approved disposal site.
The atta'ched cost-effectiveness evaluation document and
justification memorandum describe the analysis of remedial
alternatives at the site.
A feasibility study will be undertaken to develop the
long term cost-effective cleanup alternative for the suspected
drums in the Elizabeth River. Another feasibility study will
be undertaken to develop the long-term cost-effective alternative
for final closure of the site. The latter study will not
commence until the State of New Jersey submits a site summary
report which is currently in preparation. Once this site
summary report has been reviewed by EPA, a detailed scope of
work for the feasibility study will be developed and implemented.
It is anticipated that the project will be completed twelve
months after it is initiated.
Estimated Project Cost and Schedules
Feasibility Studies $200,000
Disposition of Drums
Final Site Closure
Design of Initial Remedial Measures $78,000
Contractor $42,000
-Corp of Engineers 36,000
Initial Remedial Measures $504,500
Construction Contract $456,500
Corp of Engineers 48,000
Total $782,500
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RECOMMENDATIONS;
I recommend approval to proceed with the above mentioned
feasibility studies at Chemical Control Corporation.
I recommend that, Consistent with the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980 (CERCLA), and the National Contingency Plan (40CFR PART
300), you determine that the selected option for the Chemical
Control Corporation site is a feasible and cost-effective
remedial action necessary to limit exposure to a significant
health or environmental threat. The action being taken is
also appropriate when balanced against the need to use Trust
Fund money at other sites. In addition, I have determined
that the off-site transport of hazardous substances to a RCRA
approved landfill is more cost-effective than other remedial
actions and therefore consistent with Section 101 (24) of CERCL&.
I am available to discuss the request in more detail at
your convenience.
Approve
Disapprove
Date
Attachment
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ENFORCEMENT
In January of 1979, NJDEP issued an Administrative Order
instructing the owners of Chemical Control to take steps toward
eliminating the threat to the environment and to the population
of the area. The NJDEP, through litigation, placed the Chemicals
Control Corporation in receivership in January, 1979. Both
OWPE and OEC have released this site for the proposed remedial
actions.
Criminal cases have been brought by both the Federal and
State governments. The Federal government successfully
prosecuted the owners and operator of the site for mail fraud.
The State prosecuted the owners and operator for illegal
dumping. Notice letters were issued to eight potentially
responsible parties (owners/operators) on March 24, 1983,
for the work described herein. No affirmative responses have
been received to date. It is anticipated that the Federal
government will ultimately initiate a cost recovery action for
the approximately $1 million in past expenditures under
Section 311 of the Clean Water Act and for any future
expenses incurred under CERCLA authorizations.
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