The ATP Site is located at 1 Van Houten Street in the City
of Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey 07505-1102. It consists of an
approximate 7-acre property, formerly utilized by a variety of industrial
companies beginning in the early 19th century. At one time the facility
contained an estimated 40 buildings. The remaining buildings are severely
deteriorated and have suffered floor/roof collapses as the result of neglect
and fire. Many of the buildings have been razed since the industrial complex
was abandoned in 1983.
The remnants of 5 connected buildings clustered together and
surrounding a smokestack are the focus of this Removal Action (RV3). Asbestos
containing material (“ACM”) was observed in deteriorating friable conditions
and observed scattered on building floors, walls, windowsills, pipes, ducts,
and on other equipment within the buildings. Three boilers in Building 14 are
deteriorating, exposing the inner portions of the boilers’ insulation, heat
exchange pipes and ash. Each of the three boilers are approximately 12 feet
wide, 18 feet long and 14 feet high. There is approximately 600 linear feet of
friable pipe insulation. Contaminated ash from these boilers is contaminated
with lead and is being released into the environment.
Previous removal actions have been completed at this Site,
most recently in 2021. At that time, security fencing was installed around the
Site perimeter to limit unauthorized access. In January 2023, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discovered that the City of Paterson had
constructed a park which will potentially bring visitors in close proximity to
the structures of concern and the ongoing asbestos release. All Site activity
for the RV3 must consider the National Historical Preservation Act (NHPA). Site
structures, including a 118-foot high smokestack, are in danger of collapsing
and EPA will deconstruct the Boiler House smokestack to resolve safety hazards.
Extreme care and preventative measures will be utilized during all Site
activity to avoid further compromise to structures that are not part of this
removal action. Walls of the Boiler House Complex will be demolished as
necessary so that workers may safely enter to remove asbestos and contaminated
ash. Engineering controls will be implemented to prevent off-site asbestos
migration and to protect site personnel and area residents during the course of
site activities. Perimeter air monitoring and air sampling will be conducted
during intrusive Site operations to ensure the effectiveness of the engineering
controls.
