United Slates
Environmental Protection
Agency

OSWER/OSRTI
Washington, DC 20460

* * *Final Site * * *

September 2014

PIERSON'S CREEK Newark, New Jersey

Essex County

(?) Site Location:

The Pierson's Creek site is located in an industrial area of Newark, New Jersey. Pierson's Creek discharges to
Newark Bay, approximately 1.5 miles downstream.

xl Site History:	

An active chemical facility that currently manufactures antimicrobial and antifungal paint additives and related
products is located just upstream of Pierson's Creek. Prior to the facility's chemical manufacturing operation, which
began in 1956, the facility had been occupied by other industrial operators since the late 1800s. In addition, there had
been other industries along Pierson's Creek, which may have affected the sediments in Pierson's Creek. Mercury
compounds were manufactured at the facility from 1957 until 1987. From 1965 to 1976, the mercury wastewater was
treated on-site with sulfide precipitation prior to discharge to the creek. In 1976, an on-site wastewater treatment plant
was installed that discharges to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission Waste Water Treatment Plant.

In addition to the discharge of mercury-contaminated wastewater, there is a history of spills and discharges to the
ground surface characterized by puddles of chemicals on the ground; mercury droplets on the ground and in runoff
reaching Pierson's Creek.

I Site Contamination/Contaminants:

The primary contaminant of concern is mercury, which was discharged directly to Pierson's Creek. In addition to
mercury, creek sediments contain elevated levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

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