Cornell-Dubilier Electronics
Community Update
Community Update
July 2008
EPA HAS ESTABLISHED 4
OPERABLE UNITS FOR THE
CDE SITE
• (OU1) addresses residential,
commercial, and municipal
properties in the vicinity of
the former CDE site.
• (OU2) addresses the
• contaminated buildings and
soils at the industrial park.
• (OU3) addresses the
• contaminated groundwater.
• (OU4) addresses the
contaminated sediments of
the Bound Brook.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Questions concerning cleanup
activities can be directed to:
• Peter Mannino, EPA
Remedial Project Manager, at
(212) 637-4395 or e-mail at
mannino.pietro@epa.gov
• Patricia Seppi, EPA
Community Involvement
Coordinator, at
(212) 63 7-3 679 or e-mail at
seppi.pat@epa.gov
The purpose of this fact sheet is to provide the
community with information regarding the status of
construction activities and the results of recent
investigations at the Cornell-Dubilier Electronics (CDE)
Superfund Site located in South Plainfield, New Jersey.
STATUS OF CLEANUP ACTIVITIES
In May 2008, EPA completed the demolition of the 18
contaminated buildings at the former CDE facility. The
buildings were contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs) and metals, such as arsenic, chromium, mercury, and
lead. Approximately, 26,400 tons of building debris was
transported off-site to approved landfills via truck.
In June 2008, EPA completed excavating approximately
21,000 tons of capacitor debris and soils from an area in the
undeveloped portion of the facility, identified as the capacitor
disposal area. The debris in this area was contaminated with
PCBs.
EPA is in the process of completing the remedial design to
address the remaining contaminated soils at the industrial
park. Pursuant to the September 2004 Record of Decision,
these soils will be excavated and treated on site by low
temperature thermal desorption. The remedial design provides
specifications that must be sustained throughout the
construction activities. The remedial design for this portion of
the cleanup is anticipated to be completed within the next
several months.
Prior to commencing the on-site treatment of contaminated
soils by low temperature thermal desorption, EPA will hold a
public information session in South Plainfield to discuss the
construction activities with the community.
EPA has already begun the cleanup of residential, commer-
cial, and municipal properties adjacent to the facility. PCB-
contaminated soil and interior dust have been removed from
nineteen properties near the former CDE facility.
www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/Cornell
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Community Update
July 2008
In 1997, the New Jersey Department of
Environmental Protection issued a fish con-
sumption advisory for the Bound Brook,
New Market Pond, and Spring Lake. This
advisory is still in place. Fish caught from
these water bodies should not be eaten.
Additional warning signs (Don't Eat the
Fish) will be posted along the Bound Brook.
Planned Bound Brook Construction
Following a request from the Edison
Wetlands Association, a local non-profit
environmental organization, EPA
investigated capacitor debris observed in the
Bound Brook. EPA performed
monitoring of the Bound Brook drainage
area on a weekly basis to determine the
presence and impact that PCB contaminated
capacitors are posing on the Bound Brook.
Supplemental soil sampling/test pit
investigations will be conducted in an
attempt to gather additional information on
the source of the PCB contamination.
Capacitors, many containing PCBs, were
dumped in large numbers at the site, and
capacitor debris has been found in the Bound
Brook since the site was first identified.
Recent erosion of a portion of the stream
bank near the industrial park may have led to
a spike in the amount of capacitor debris in
the Brook. Stabilization technologies for use
as an interim measure will be evaluated to
secure areas of the Bound Brook which may
be eroding. Funding documentation for the
additional work is being prepared.
Future Proposed Plans will address these and
other contamination problems. EPA will be
available to discuss the planned activities at
public availability sessions which will be
scheduled later this summer.
INVESTIGATION RESULTS:
The investigations of the contaminated groundwater and the
sediments of the Bound Brook are ongoing.
In January 2008, EPA installed 8 additional groundwater moni-
toring wells in the vicinity of the former CDE facility. Initial
sampling revealed elevated levels of TCE in the groundwater.
Periodic inspections of the Bound Brook adjacent to the former
CDE facility have identified an occasional capacitor. These
capacitors are believed to have been displaced due to erosion.
In December 2007, EPA collected additional sediment sam-
ples in the Bound Brook adjacent to the former CDE facility.
Results indicate that PCB concentrations have increased in
some areas of the Bound Brook. EPA's observations of occa-
sional capacitors on the banks of the Brook and review of re-
cent sediment analytical data warrants further action by EPA.
Re-evaluation of The Brook Corridor Adjacent To The
Former CDE Facility
During the next 3 to 4 months, EPA will re-evaluate an
ecological risk assessment that was conducted in 1997-1998
for the Bound Brook corridor adjacent to the CDE site. This
assessment will focus on the collection of tissue samples from
fin fish to determine the presence and concentration of PCBs.
Supplemental investigations will be initiated in an attempt
to gather additional information on the source of the PCB
contamination.
SITE HISTORY:
From 1936 to 1962, CDE, Inc. operated at the 26-acre facility
located in South Plainfield, New Jersey. CDE manufactured
electronic components including, in particular, capacitors.
PCBs and chlorinated solvents were used in the manufactur-
ing process, and the company disposed of PCB-contaminated
materials and other hazardous wastes directly on the facility
site. CDE's activities eventually led to the widespread
chemical contamination of the facility and surrounding area.
www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/Cornell
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