Cleanup begins on toxic dump site

BYRAM — “We have started full speed ahead” said Lou DiGuardia, On-Scene Coordinator of the EPA Removal Group about the cleanup of the toxic dump site adjacent to the Mansfield Trail in the Brookwood section of Byram. Temporary roads have been built to allow for trucks to access the site and both the old one-lane Sparta/Stanhope bridge and the Mansfield Trail walking path have been closed. A trailer is parked at the bridge which will be the base for operations and a staging area. Bids are still being obtained from offsite disposal companies for the transportation and disposal of the TCE contaminated soil. DiGuardia explained there are five areas that are being addressed — known as A through E. Areas B, C and E have been accessed and are ready to have the toxic soil removed. Area A is being cleared and area D, which is the biggest area, will be the last to be handled. Access to the site had to be gained before any work could be completed. Full permission was received in January, the last of which was from PSE&G. Area D is under the high tension power lines, so special precautions together with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations need to be adhered to. DiGuardia said, “There could be an arcing effect, and our equipment can only go so high a safety hazard with the lines. We also can not obstruct the use of PSE&G’s property so we can not put up fencing under the lines.” The Coast Guard is also on site. they are responsible for the health and safety of the public during the removal. Currently, they are monitoring the air for volatile organic compounds (VOC), which pose health risks to people. To date, no VOCs or even odors have emanated from the site. In an effort to keep people safe and away from the cleanup area, signs have been posted and fencing put in place where allowed. DiGuardia and Pat Seppi, Community Involvement Coordinator for the EPA, continue to ask that people stay away from the site. The site is dangerous due to the work being performed and because of the toxic substance. The heavy activity of moving truckloads of contaminated soil is estimated to begin in March. The plan is to remove the soil down to the bedrock and then replace it with clean fill. Standard operating procedure calls for all rainwater to be diverted from the site so that no new contamination occurs. DiGuardia added “now that we have access to the areas, we hope that the work will go quickly.” Thirteen homes in the East Brookwood have been identified to have possible indoor air quality issues from previous sub-slab testing. The indoor testing will begin on March 6 on those 13 homes, and will run through the March 8. Kristin Giacalone, Remedial Project Manager from the EPA will oversee the testing. Giacalone said, “First we will tour the home to see if there are any chemicals stored which are similar to the contaminant. These stored items could skew results. We need to verify that any indoor contamination is as a result of the TCE coming from underground. If we find items containing these substances we will remove them and store them outside during the testing.” Dry cleaning, degreasers and stain removers, among other items, are all culprits. The day after the tour is completed, a testing canister will be placed in the home to be picked up the following day. Giacalone said that the response of the residents has been wonderful. “Everyone has been great to work with.” Giacalone added that although 13 homes have been identified through sub-slab testing as having possible indoor air quality issues, none of the readings were alarmingly high. Seppi agreed that the cooperation of the community was been wonderful. For more information, or for questions about the site, contact Pat Seppi at seppi.pat@epamail.epa.gov or 646-369-0068.