Explanation of Significant Differences Chemical Control Superfund Site


Explanation of Significant Differences

Environmental Protection CheiTI iCal COntml

Superfund Site







Site Name:

Chemical Control Superfund Site

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CERCLA ID #;

NJD000607481



Site Location:

23 South Front Street
Elizabeth, New Jersey

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Support Agency:

New Jersery Department of Environmental
Protection

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include an IC for soil and EPA has determined that
a change to the remedy to incorporate the
implementation of the soil IC at the Site is
warranted, as well as to acknowledge the state's
CEA/WRA.

Section 117(c) of CERCLA and Section
300.435(c)(2)(i) of the NCP require the publication
of an ESD when the Agency determines that
modifications are needed to the original selected
remedy that are significant but do not
fundamentally alter the remedy selected in the ROD
with respect to scope, performance, or cost.

III. Site History and Contamination

Site History

The former Chemical Control Corporation property
is located on 23 South Front Street in Elizabeth,
New Jersey. The Site includes the 2.2-acre property
and the portion of the Elizabeth River adjacent to
the property.

From 1970 to 1979, Chemical Control Corporation
operated as a hazardous waste storage, treatment,
and disposal facility, accepting various types of
chemicals including: acids, arsenic, bases, cyanides,
flammable solvents, polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs), compressed gases, biological agents, and
pesticides.

Throughout its operations, the Chemical Control
Corporation was cited for discharge and waste
storage violations. The facility operated until March
1979, when it was closed after being notified of
numerous environmental and safety violations by
NJDEP. The Chemical Control Corporation is no
longer in business.

The Site was listed on the National Priorities List in
September 1983. EPA conducted a remedial
investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS) at the
Site from 1985 to 1986. The RI identified hazardous
substances in the soils, groundwater, surface water,
and sediments at the Site.

The State's initial cleanup of the Site, starting in
March 1979, removed 55,400 pounds of bulk solids,
1,800 gallons of bulk liquids, nearly 10,000 drums
of waste, 83 gas cylinders, 10 pounds of infectious
wastes, seven pounds of radioactive wastes, and 24
gallons of highly explosive liquids. While the
emergency response action was still in its early
stages, on April 21, 1980, an explosion and fire
occurred at the Site. NJDEP continued its (pre-
Superfund) cleanup operation after the fire and
removed all building debris, drums (found on and
buried below the surface), tanks, and three feet of
surface soil. NJDEP operated a groundwater
recovery and treatment system from November
1980 through July 1981.

Site Contamination

The contaminants found at the Site included, but
were not limited to, acetone, 2-butanone, vinyl
chloride, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene,
chlorobenzene, trichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethene
(1,2-DCE), PCBs, di-n-butyl phthalate, benzyl
alcohol, benzoic acid, pyrene, naphthalene, and
fluorene. Hazardous substances including benzene
and vinyl chloride were also identified in
groundwater. Some or all of the contaminants
identified are hazardous substances as defined in §
104(14) of CERCLA, 42, U.S.C. § 9601(14), and 40
C.F.R. § 302.4. Approximately 18,000 cubic yards
of contaminated soil were identified and eventually
treated at the Site.

At the time of the RI/FS, the greatest potential risk
from the Site was the possible exposure to
contaminated soils. Significant health threats were
posed through direct contact, fugitive dust emission
and volatilization. Groundwater beneath the Site is
not being used as drinking water. Residents and
businesses in the area are supplied with municipal
water.

IV. Selected Remedy

EPA issued the first ROD for the Site in 1983, in
which EPA selected an initial remedial measure
(IRM). The IRM, which was performed by EPA,

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included the decontamination and removal of eleven
box trailers and a vacuum truck along with the
cleaning and repair of the storm sewer, manholes,
and catch basins. In addition, divers removed
drums, pails, gas cylinders, and other materials from
the Elizabeth River. The 1983 ROD did not include
ICs.

EPA issued a second ROD for the Site on
September 23, 1987. The remedy selected in the
1987 ROD included:

•	Treatment of 18,000 cubic yards of contaminated
soil at the Site using in-situ fixation;

•	Removal of debris from earlier response actions;

•	Sealing of the sanitary sewer line under the Site
where it connects to the South Front Street storm
sewer;

•	Repair of the berm that separates the Site from the
Elizabeth River; and

•	Collection and analysis of environmental samples,
as required, to ensure the effectiveness of the
remedy.

Although no remedial action objectives (RAOs)
were identified in the ROD, the intent of the remedy
was to reduce the mobility and toxicity of the
contaminants in the soil, protect against any
possibility of the contaminated soils being exposed,
ensure that the leaching of contaminants will not
increase, and return the Site to a condition that is
compatible with reasonably anticipated future use,
i.e., development that could reasonably be expected
in this industrial area.

In October 1990, a group of Settling Defendants
entered into a settlement, embodied in a consent
decree (CD), with the United States regarding the
Site. Under the CD, a sub-group of Settling
Defendants known as the Primary Settling
Defendants (PSDs) agreed to perform the remedy
selected in the 1987 ROD, under EPA oversight.
Construction of the remedy started in August 1993
and was completed in April 1994.

Settling Defendants included installation of a slurry
wall to further isolate and contain the soils
solidified through the in-situ fixation component of
the remedy. The slurry wall was constructed around
the perimeter of the Site and anchored into a clay
layer underlying the Site. By anchoring it into the
clay layer, the surrounding ground water was cut off
from entering and leaving the Site. The top of the
solidified mass was designed to prevent water
infiltration into the solidified mass and maximize
surface water runoff toward the Elizabeth River.
Finally, an 8-foot chain-link fence was installed
around the Site to restrict unauthorized access.

Under EPA oversight, the PSDs have been
conducting long-term monitoring and maintenance
activities in accordance with the operation and
maintenance (O&M) plan, approved by EPA on
March 24, 1994.

The Site property is currently used as a staging area
for heavy equipment and materials.

V. Description of Significant
Differences and Basis for the ESD

Because the remedial action resulted in hazardous
substances, pollutants, or contaminants remaining at
the Site above levels that allow for unlimited use
and unrestricted exposure to soils, EPA determined
that ICs were necessary to ensure long term
protectiveness of human health and the environment
and to protect the integrity of the remedy. The ICs,
in the form of a deed notice and a CEA/WRA, have
been implemented at the Site. The IRM selected in
the 1983 ROD and the remedial action selected in
the 1987 ROD do not include ICs for soils. As a
result, EPA has concluded that an ESD is needed to
document the decision to include ICs in the form a
deed notice for soils as part of the remedy for the
Site, as well as to acknowledge the state's
CEA/WRA.

In addition to the components of the 1987 ROD
remedy, the remedial work performed by the

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VI.	Support Agency Comments

EPA consulted with NJDEP and provided it the
opportunity to comment on this ESD in accordance
with Sections 300.435(c)(2) and 300.435(c)(2)(i) of
the NCP and Section 121(f) of CERCLA. NJDEP
concurred with this ESD in a letter dated September
20, 2024.

VII.	Statutory Determinations

EPA has determined that the remedy, as modified
by these significant changes, complies with the
statutory requirements of Section 121 of CERCLA,
42 U.S.C. § 9621, is protective of human health and
the environment, complies with federal and state
requirements that are applicable or relevant and
appropriate to the remedial action, remains cost-
effective, and utilizes permanent solutions and
alternative treatment technologies to the maximum
extent practicable.

Because the remedy, as modified by this ESD, will
result in hazardous substances, pollutants, or
contaminants remaining on site above levels that
allow for unlimited use and unrestricted exposure, a
statutory review will be conducted no less often
than each five years after the initiation of the
remedial action to ensure that the remedy is, or will
be, protective of human health and the environment.
The last statutory five-year review for the Site was
completed on June 28, 2024. The next five-year
review will be conducted no more than five years
from that date.

VIII.	Public Participation

In accordance with CERCLA Section 117(c) and
Section 300.435(c)(2) of the NCP, a formal public

comment period is not required when issuing an
ESD. EPA will announce the availability of the
ESD in a local newspaper of general circulation
with a notice briefly summarizing this ESD. The
ESD and the documents that provide the basis for
the ESD will be placed in the administrative record
for the Site in accordance with Section
300.825(a)(2) of the NCP and the information
repository maintained at the address set forth in
Section I, above. The ESD will also be placed on
EPA's Site page located at
https://www. epa. gov/ superfund/chemical-control.

IX. Authorizing Signature

EPA has determined the remedy for the Site, as
modified by this ESD, is protective of human health
and the environment, and will remain so provided
the actions presented in this report are implemented
as described above.

This ESD documents the significant changes related
to the remedy at the Site. EPA selected these
changes with the concurrence of NJDEP.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Digitally signed by Evangelista,

By: Evangelista, Pat p*

°	'	Date: 2024.09.2313:53:44-04'00'

Pat Evangelista
Director

Superfund and Emergency Management Division
EPA, Region 2

Date: September 23, 2024

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