INDUSTRIAL
LATEX CORP.
NEW JERSEY
EPA ID# NJD981178411
EPA REGION 2
CONGRESSIONAL DIST. 09
Bergen County
Borough ofWallington
Site Description 	
The Industrial Latex Corporation manufactured chemical adhesives, and natural and synthetic rubber
compounds from 1951 until 1983. Adhesives were initially formulated using vegetable protein in a
solvent base. Solvents utilized in the process included acetone, heptane, hexane, methyl ethyl ketone
(MEK), methylene chloride, and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA). To reduce flammability, PCBs were
introduced as a fire retardant. In the late 1970s, solvent-based adhesives were replaced by water-
based latex adhesives. Intermittent processing of latex compounds continued at the site until October
1983, when all operations ceased. Poor operational procedures and on-site waste disposal practices
resulted in widespread areas of surface and subsurface soil contamination. Prompted by numerous
complaints from local officials about the misuse of solvents and the dumping of trash and chemicals
on the property, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) conducted a site
inspection in 1980 and found approximately 250 leaking drums of various chemicals. In addition,
NJDEP discovered that VOCs and materials contaminated with PCBs had been disposed of in an on-
site sanitary septic system. NJDEP conducted a second site inspection in 1983 and discovered
approximately 1,600 drums which were open, leaking, or lying on their sides. Analyses of the drum
contents revealed the presence of acetone, hexane, MEK, dimethyl formanide, and TCA. The
Industrial Latex Corporation went out of business, and the principals and property owner were
determined to not have the financial resources to successfully perform clean up work at the property.
The site is located in a residential and industrial area; approximately 10,000 people live within Vi
mile of the site.
Site Responsibility: This site has been addressed through
Federal actions.
NPL LISTING HISTORY
Proposed Date: 06/24/88
Final Date: 03/30/89
INDUSTRIAL LATEX CORP.
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Threats and Contaminants
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Soil was contaminated primarily with PCBs. Possible health risks included exposure to
PCBs through accidentally ingesting or coming into contact with the contaminated soil.
Cleanup Approach 	
This site was addressed in two stages: initial actions and long-term remedial actions focusing on
cleanup of the entire site.
Response Action Status 	
^ Initial Actions: In 1986, EPA treated or recycled over 130,000 gallons of
contaminated liquids, including flammable organic liquids and PCB liquid wastes. In
addition, over1,200 drums and 22 underground tanks were removed from the site. The
site was stabilized, which included conducting an inventory of materials on the site, removing
shock-sensitive and highly flammable chemicals, and removing 37 truckloads of non-hazardous,
combustible trash. EPA destroyed 1,525 shock-sensitive and flammable materials, incinerated off-
site 12,048 gallons of flammable PCB solids, and sent 113,050 gallons of non-flammable PCB solids
to an off-site landfill. The site was also fenced to limit access to any remaining contamination.
Source Control: EPA initiated a remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS) to determine
the nature and extent of contamination at the Industrial Latex site in June 1989. A Record of
Decision (ROD) was signed in September 1992 that featured: (1) excavation of contaminated soil and
treatment by low temperature thermal desorption, followed by backfilling on the site; (2) excavation
and off-site disposal of an estimated 600 buried drums; (3) dismantling and off-site disposal of vats
and other remaining processing equipment; and (4) demolition and off-site disposal of two buildings
on the site. The cleanup of the site has been undertaken in two phases. The first phase of the cleanup
involved the demolition of the buildings and removal of the vats. This first phase was initiated in
July 1995 and completed in November 1995. The design for the second phase of the cleanup, the
excavation and treatment of the contaminated soil and excavation and off-site disposal of buried
drums, was completed in May 1995, however, a lack of funding prevented the start of the soil
cleanup. The funding was finally secured in 1997. A contract for Phase 2 was awarded to
Environmental Chemical Corporation in August 1998. Field work began in November 1998 and soil
treatment was completed in June 2000. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provided on-site field
oversite of this action.
r*\. Ground Water: Because the results of the ground water investigation completed
Ny during the RI/FS were inconclusive, the 1992 ROD called for a subsequent investigation.
In Spring 2000, EPA conducted a final ground water sampling effort at the site to clarify
its understanding of the site ground water. None of the site-related chemicals of concern at Industrial
Latex were found to be present in the ground water at concentrations above federal and state drinking
March 2002
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water standards. Based on these results, a ROD, signed in September 2001, determined that no
action was necessary to address ground water at the site.
Cleanup Progress
After completion of the removal action, buildings and soil contaminated with PCBs and various
process wastes remained at the site. A remedial action performed in 1995 addressed the building
contamination via decontamination, demolition of two buildings (39,400 square feet) and off-site
disposal of the building debris. Additionally, 30 process vats were removed and disposed of off site.
The soil cleanup was completed in June 2000, and a no action ROD was signed for ground water in
September 2001. EPA plans to propose deletion of the site from the National Priorities List. A five
year review of the site is not required.
Site Repository
John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, 92 Hathaway Street, Wallington, NJ 07055
(Complete)
March 2002
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INDUSTRIAL LATEX CORP.

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