S7"^

'7>

Sr
<

a

o

%:

3

vh

PROt^

'.O

ro

¦z

LLl

o

T
-------
Cleanup of the Radiation

In the early 1990s, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
(NJDEP) conducted an investigation for radiological contamination of over
1,100 properties in Gloucester City and Camden, NJ About 100 properties are
contaminated at different degrees. Moving quickly to provide a solution for
the most contaminated properties and to safeguard human health, NJDEP took
measures that included placing gamma radiation shielding on 30 properties and
installing radon/thoron ventilating systems on three properties. The state also
purchased one contaminated residential property and relocated one commer-
cial business. As a result of the NJDEP investigation and in partnership with
EPA, the Welsbach & General Gas Mantle Co. properties were placed on
Superfund's National Priority List on June 16, 1996.

In August 1996, EPA initiated a remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS)
to determine the nature and extent of contamination throughout the site, and the risks
posed by the site. Based on the radiologically-contaminated soil and waste materials found on both
residential and industrial properties in Camden and Gloucester City, EPA plans to excavate the con-
taminated soil and dispose of it off-site. EPA also has identified more that 800 properties in Camden
and Gloucester City where they will conduct additional sampling to make sure no contamination is
overlooked. EPA estimates the entire cleanup of the Welsbach & General Gas Mantle site will take
approximately five years to complete.

EPA Working with the Community

To date, EPA has begun the first phase of the soil cleanup on 14 residential homes, a private swim
club, and a County road. Because the work is so close to the homes, in some cases literally in their
back yards, and intersects with daily lives of the residents, EPA has invested a lot of time working
with the community to lessen the impact of the cleanup.

In full cooperation with the residents of properties requiring clean up, EPA has had to temporarily
relocate twelve families and permanently relocate one other. "In most cases, the owners and/or
residents of uncontaminated properties in the vicinity have been able to continue using their properties
with little or no interruption prior to, during, or after the work," Petersen explained.

EPA has been able to perform the cleanup in a densely populated, residential
community with minimal interruption of the day-to-day life of the majority of
its residences and businesses. This has been accomplished because EPA
listened to the community's concerns during public meetings and re-
sponded.

In particular, there were community concerns in the spring about the
cleanup around the local pool in Gloucester City. To accommodate the
summer swimming schedule, EPA modified its schedule to enable the
Swim Club to operate during the popular months.

CONTACTS:

Rick Robinson, Project Manager
(212) 637-4371

Visit the EPA Region 2 web site at:
http://www.epa.gov/region2/Superfund

Welsbach Gas Lamp and Mantles

-------