Syncon Resins
South Kearny, NJ	
Site Description
The Syncon Resins site encompasses approximately 15 acres in a heavily industrialized area of northern New
Jersey, on the peninsula formed by the Passaic and Hackensack rivers. EPA added the site to the National
Priorities List in 1983.The site once housed an industrial facility run by Syncon Resins, which produced paints,
varnishes and related products. Many of the ingredients and final byproducts were toxic liquids stored onsite in
various types of storage tanks and lagoons. Large quantities of the waste leaked, contaminating the
groundwater, soil and buildings. The storage vessels and tanks also remained heavily contaminated. The
closest residential area is in Newark, which lies one mile to the west of the site.
Current Site Status and Cleanup Actions to Date
•	In 1982-1984, the State of New Jersey removed all of the exposed 55-gallon drums from the site.
•	In 1986, EPA issued a cleanup plan to: 1) remove storage tanks and vessels' contents for off-site
disposal; 2) decontaminate buildings and tank structures; 3) excavate lagoon liquids, sediments and
contaminated surface soil for off-site disposal; 4) install a cover over the site allowing natural flushing
of underlying soil and groundwater contaminants; 5) collect and treat contaminated water from the
shallow aquifer; and 6) undertake supplemental studies to evaluate methods to enhance the
effectiveness of the remediation system to address contaminated soils.
•	In 2000, EPA issued a second cleanup plan, which included a cleanup alternative consisting of
excavation and drainage of contaminated soils, buried debris removal and installation of a connecting
drainage layer.
•	In 2007, at the request of the State of New Jersey, EPA assumed lead responsibilities for site
activities.
•	In 2010, EPA issued an amended cleanup plan after completing a final focused feasibility study.
•	In 2012, EPA approved the remedial design plan.
•	EPA has determined that all unacceptable human exposure pathways have been eliminated, and
therefore, under current conditions, human exposure is under control site wide.
Unfunded Action
Fiscal Year 2014 work that was not funded involved soil excavation, treatment and disposal.
Current Funding Status
To date, EPA has spent approximately $18.8 million on construction work at the site.
For more information on this site, please read the Syncon Resins site information on the Region 2
Superfund web site.

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