ABRACHEM CHEMICAL
                    DRUM REMOVAL TO BEGIN  ON
                       MONDAY, JANUARY 26,  2009
Community Notice
                                 JANUARY 2009
 QUESTIONS? Please Contact

 Community Involvement
 Coordinator
 Melissa Dimas
 212-637-3677
 dimas. melissa@epa. gov
 On-Scene Coordinator:
 Paul Kahn
 732-906-6983
 kahn.paul@epa.gov
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be
removing approximately 1,500 drums containing both known and
unknown chemicals from the Abrachem Chemical facility located
at 2 Peekay Drive in Clifton, NJ. Abrachem operated a bulk
chemical repackaging and storage facility, and on October 29,
2008, EPA was informed by the New Jersey Department of Envi-
ronmental Protection (DEP) that chemicals were released at the
Abrachem Chemical facility. The removal of the drums will be-
gin on Monday, January 26, 2009, and is expected to take about
4-6 months.

HISTORY/BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
After receiving a request from DEP, EPA contacted both the op-
erator and the owner of the facility, but they denied access. EPA
pursued the matter and referred the case to the U.S.  Department of
Justice. On January 8, 2009, a federal Magistrate issued an access
warrant to EPA to perform the removal action.

After an initial investigation, the company was found to be   b
improperly storing drums and bulk containers of known and un-
known chemicals in seventeen, 43-foot long shipping containers.
EPA observed that at least one drum was leaking onto a wooden
pallet; and a strong chemical odor emanated from the partially
opened door. Since gaining access to the facility, EPA and its
contractor, Earth Tech Inc., have deployed personnel to stabilize
the Site and staged supplies and air monitoring equipment in
preparation for Monday's initial removal.

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