Abstract |
The De Rewal Chemical site is in Kingswood Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The 3.7-acre site lies within the 100-year floodplain of the Delaware River and consists of a former dumping area, a garage, a private residence, and a building formerly occupied by the De Rewal Chemical Company. Between 1970 and 1973 the De Rewal Chemical Company reportedly manufactured and stored a textile preservative and an agricultural fungicide onsite. The State discovered De Rewal Chemical Company's improper chemical handling practices in 1972 but was unsuccessful in forcing the company to comply with permit requirements. The De Rewal Chemical Company continued to improperly dump chemicals onsite including one incident in which a tank truck containing 3,000 to 5,000 gallons of highly acidic chromium solution was allowed to drain onto the soil and eventually to the Delaware River. In 1973 the State ordered the company to excavate and place contaminated soil on an impermeable liner. The company reportedly only placed a portion of the contaminated soil on an uncovered plastic sheet before filing for bankruptcy. The primary contaminants of concern affecting the soil and ground water are VOCs including PCE, TCE, and toluene; other organics including PAHs; and metals including chromium and lead. |