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American Cyanamid
Bridgewater Township, NJ
More Information
Public MeetingNo meeting scheduled. Your EPA Community Involvement CoordinatorMelissa Dimas - 212-637-3677 Mailing ListJoin our Mailing List to receive updates on EPA's activities at this Superfund site.
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EPA added the American Cyanamid site in Bridgewater Township, New Jersey to the Superfund National Priorities List on September 8, 1983 because hazardous chemicals were found in the soil and ground water. The 575-acre superfund site has a history of industrial pollution dating back to 1915. For nearly 100 years, prior owners used the location for manufacturing chemicals and disposed of chemical sludge and other wastes on the property. The soil, ground water and waste disposal areas, called impoundments, are contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-VOCs, metals, and other harmful chemicals. Some of these harmful chemicals are known to cause cancer in humans and animals or have other adverse effects on human health. The extent and nature of potential health effects depend on many factors, including the level and length of exposure.
The site is located adjacent to the Raritan River and lies above the Brunswick Aquifer, New Jersey’s second largest source for drinking water. Area residents are serviced by a public water supply that provides a safe source of drinking water. In 1998, EPA deleted 140 acres of the site from the Superfund list and the property was redeveloped for commercial use (retail stores, a professional baseball stadium, and a commuter/stadium parking lot). All manufacturing ceased on the site in 1999 and the majority of the buildings were demolished by 2000. In 2009, Pfizer Inc. assumed responsibility for the American Cyanamid site as part of its purchase of the Wyeth Holding Corporation, a prior owner.
In fall 2010, Pfizer performed a site-wide inspection of the facility and observed ground water discharges (called seeps) from the site into the Raritan River. These seeps contained benzene and required an immediate action to prevent continued contamination of the river. In February 2011, activated carbon-filled sand bags were installed along the river and continue to remain in place until the completion of the long-term solution. The permanent solution, scheduled to be completed in April of 2012, includes the installation of an interception trench along the site banks and the construction of a water treatment system that will treat the captured water prior to its release.
The remaining 435 acres of the site are being addressed through two separate actions. In February 2012, EPA released a proposed plan for the site cleanup, with the exception of Impoundments 1 and 2. Impoundments 1 and 2 are being addressed in a separate study, called a Focused Feasibility Study, due to the nature of their contamination and their location in the flood plain. EPA’s proposed plan addresses the remaining impoundments, site-wide soils, and ground water.
The comment period on the proposed clean-up plan ended on May 15, 2012. EPA has reviewed and addressed all comments on the site-wide proposed plan. View the Record of Decision.
If you have any questions please contact the Community Involvement Coordinator, Melissa Dimas at dimas.melissa@epa.gov or 212-637-3677.
