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 ------- 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 ------- |