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State Speeds Cleanup

Posted on: Wednesday, 2 November 2005, 15:00 CST

By The Record, Hackensack, N.J.

Nov. 2--It took the state one day to do what the federal government couldn't do in 18 months.

On Tuesday, state environmental cleanup specialists removed all visible paint sludge from three residential properties adjacent to Ford's former dumping ground.

State workers hoped their fast initial work would encourage more homeowners to allow them to inspect their properties for toxic waste. Residents had blocked such a survey by the federal government, which they have grown to distrust.

The Record's "Toxic Legacy" special report last month exposed how Ford and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency conducted only partial cleanups of sludge that Ford contractors dumped in the former mining area from 1967 to 1971. Streams in the area feed the Wanaque Reservoir, which serves millions of New Jersey residents.

The immediate neighborhood, which has been contaminated by the waste, is home to a 400-member community comprising mostly Ramapough Mountain Indians.

The Record found that sludge in the driveway of a home on Margaret King Avenue contained lead at 100 times the safety standard. Antimony, a silvery-white metal that can cause heart and lung problems, was also at 100 times the level considered safe. High levels of solvents were found as well.

The state took over residential cleanups at the EPA's request after the federal agency was unable to negotiate access agreements. On Tuesday, workers from a Department of Environmental Protection Emergency Response Team, outfitted in jumpsuits and respiratory equipment, used small backhoes and shovels to take the toxic waste from that property and two others on Van Dunk Lane. They did so without testing the waste's toxicity, having just gotten permission to work on the grounds.

"We're used to dealing with unknowns, and for now we just want to get this stuff out of here," said Gary Pearson, a DEP regional supervisor. "Then it will be brought to an appropriate disposal facility out of the state, possibly in Canada."

Pearson's staff walked the Margaret King Avenue property beyond the driveway and discovered more sludge near the property line, which abuts the town's public works garage. That site had once been a municipal landfill, and the driveway for the home was once a road used by trash haulers, residents say.

In each yard, stations were set up to monitor air and dust and test for volatile organic compounds. Workers pulled out mounds of sludge and soil.

A weather station spun in the breeze, alerting officials to any change in wind that might send acrid fumes away from the monitors. Workers sprayed water on the dirt to keep dust down.

"We're checking the monitoring devices, and if there is a problem, the workers would put on different respiratory equipment," said DEP Bureau Chief David Sweeney. "We're prepared -- we go to all types of emergencies, like chemical fires or abandoned tanks. We can have a cleanup under way in two hours, anywhere in the state."

For years, area residents complained of serious illnesses, including skin rashes, cancer and asthma. This summer, the state Department of Health and Senior Services revealed that some cancer rates are higher in the neighborhood.

No definitive link has been shown between the pollution and the illnesses. But after reading The Record's special report, acting Governor Codey ordered state action to provide medical care for residents, sue Ford for polluting the environment and remove sludge from residential properties if the EPA can't do it before winter.

Alan J. Steinberg, regional director of the EPA, asked the state to intercede in October after 18 months of negotiations with residents failed. Residents, many of whom work or have worked at Ringwood State Park, say they feel more comfortable dealing with the state agency. Those living in the Margaret King Avenue house welcomed the workers Tuesday morning.

"I'm just so glad they're finally doing something about this," Lucy Van Dunk said. "They kept saying they were going to take care of it, and nothing ever got done. I just want them to get it out of here."

Clara Van Dunk, 74, lives in the same house and was watching her 4-month-old granddaughter Tuesday when she acknowledged being worried about having to leave her home permanently.

"As long as we don't have to move, then it's fine that they're here," Clara Van Dunk said. "But I've lived here all my life, and I never want to leave."

Angie Van Dunk moved her children out of the house this summer after tests on her 4-year-old son showed he had lead poisoning.

State workers and their contractor, Atlantic Response Inc. of Carteret, labored into the evening to remove all the visible sludge and backfill holes left from the excavation work. They planned to return today to check for evidence of buried paint sludge on these properties.

DEP Commissioner Bradley Campbell said efficiency is necessary to gain back the trust of the residents. Agency officials have asked residents to point out any place where sludge may have been dumped.

"It's important to demonstrate progress to the residents [who] have lost faith that this would ever be cleaned up," Campbell said by phone Tuesday. "Governor Codey made a commitment that all visible sludge would be removed before winter, and we're doing that. We're hoping this will motivate other residents to provide access to their properties for sampling, so we can determine how much contamination is there."

Joseph Seebode, an assistant DEP commissioner, told residents Friday that the state is preparing a thorough investigation of the entire neighborhood. There are about 50 residential lots. The work will start in the spring.

"We are going to be there for you," Seebode said. "It is not going to end until we have investigated every property and we have concluded this for you. Let's work together as a team. Let's solve this problem once and for all."

As the state workers dumped contaminated soil and sludge into metal containers that were to be trucked to the Clean Earth facility in Kearny, 18-wheelers rolled past the neighborhood, also carrying sludge from a section of Ringwood State Park, slightly more than a mile away. Permanent disposal of the stored waste in Kearny will be determined based on the level of pollution found in the sludge, said Pearson.

The EPA is conducting the ongoing cleanup of the state park land and non-residential borough property and has scheduled a meeting Thursday with neighborhood residents to discuss forming a citizens advisory group.

"We're pleased that the sludge is being removed from the residential properties and we will continue to work with the community as the remainder of the site is cleaned up," said Jim Haklar, an EPA spokesman.

By Barbara Williams and Jan Barry

THE PROGRESS

--Past: About 30 residents got health checkups last week, with more scheduled for Saturday.

--Present: Paint sludge was removed from three residential sites.

--Future: In spring, the state plans to investigate about 50 residential lots for sludge and vapors.

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Copyright (c) 2005, The Record, Hackensack, N.J.

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Source: The Record - Hackensack, New Jersey

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