The Concord Chemical Site, a former manufacturer of various liquid and powder cleaners and detergents, is located in a mixed industrial, commercial and residential neighborhood at 17th and Federal Streets in Camden, Camden County, New Jersey. Concord Chemical Company, Inc. (“Concord Chemical”) is the current owner of record (Lot 25, Block 1186) and the property encompasses nearly an entire city block. The facility consists of a four-story brick building, above ground storage tank area and open areas that are covered with asphalt, gravel, concrete, or cobble.
On August 6, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) received a request from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (“NJDEP”), to evaluate the Site for a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”) removal action.
On August 23, 2010, On-Scene Coordinators (“OSC’s”) from the Removal Action Branch (“RAB”) and representatives from NJDEP and the City of Camden conducted a Site visit as part of the removal assessment. The first and second floor showed evidence of recent vandalism including copper stripping and removal. Two open entry points (one window and one door) were discovered on the first floor despite the City of Camden’s best efforts to secure the building. Containers of various sizes were scattered throughout the first floor. Over 100, 55-gallon drums were observed including at least 20 hazardous waste (based on labeling) salvage or overpacked drums in the loading dock area. Waste identified on labels included caustics, corrosives and flammable materials. The second floor contains a large laboratory that has over 1,000 small containers of chemicals, reagents and unknown chemical mixtures. Container labels indicated the presence of acetone, tetrachloroethylene (“PCE”), carbon tetrachloride, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethene, chloroform, pyridine, toluene, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, acetic anhydride, butyl alcohol, kerosene, and ammonia in the lab. The second floor contains over 100, 55-gallon drums with labels indicating that contents included sulfonic acid, styrene, isopropyl alcohol, sodium methylate, monoethanol amine, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, cresylic acid, and ammonia. Some of the containers have open tops and/or material on the drum top that has spilled out of the container. There is evidence of chemical leakage onto the floor and running down the outside wall of the building. The third floor contains approximately 100, 55-gallon drums of chemicals and various products manufactured at the facility including waxes, soaps and lubricants. Also present are large quantities of combustible packaging materials including cardboard boxes, paper, empty fiber drums, and plastic sheeting. The basement level contains numerous drums (approximately 100) and 225-gallon capacity plastic totes (approximately 30-50); however, further observations were limited in this area due to low ceilings and poor lighting. Also, a large volume of liquid (up to six inches deep) is present on the floor in the basement due to possible leakage/spillage from containers and pipes. This material is bright green in color or multi colored (brown, white, and orange) depending on the location. The eastern third of the building from the basement to the third floor houses the mixing tanks and process equipment. Most tanks appeared empty; however at least five contain unknown liquids or solids. Tanks ranged in size from 250 to 10,000 gallons. The tanks, equipment, floor, walls, and piping in this area of the building are coated with process related materials (waxy and soapy residuals). Pipes throughout the building are insulated with PACM. Much of the insulation is damaged and has either fallen off the pipes onto the floor or onto objects below the pipes. The insulation is exposed to the outside elements and may be releasing to the outside environment through the broken windows on the upper floors. Six above ground storage tanks (“ASTs”), ranging in size from 15,000 to 20,000 gallons are present outside the building on the southern portion of the property. The tanks appear to be empty; however there is evidence of strong chemical odor emanating from tanks.
