The Site is located within the Society Hill Phase 3 condominium complex which is bounded by Norfolk, Wickliff, W. Market and Warren Streets in Newark, Essex County, New Jersey. A church borders Site property and is located in the center of the northern portion of the Site; an unused school borders the northeast property boundary and an abandoned warehouse is located at the eastern edge of the Site.

1.1.2.1 Location

The Site is located in an urban, mixed residential, light industrial neighborhood and is within the University Heights District of Newark that includes Rutgers University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the University of Medicine and Dentistry and the Essex County College campuses.  The Essex County Vocational-Technical High School borders the southeast corner of the Site.

Topographically, the Site is located at approximately 108 feet above sea level and is located at 40° 44′

29.47″ N latitude, 74°10′ 58.97″W longitude.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

The contaminant identified at the Site is lead in soil.  Lead is a hazardous substance as defined by Section 101 (14) of CERCLA and is listed in 40 CFR, Table 302.4. Analytical data from samples collected from the Site indicate that lead is present in the surface and subsurface soils at concentrations greater than the removal screening level of 400 ppm and is considered to be a public health hazard. Lead concentrations as high as 13,000 ppm have been documented as present within the top 24 inches of soil on Site.

Lead is a cumulative poison where increasing amounts can build up in the body eventually reaching a point where symptoms and disability occur. Particularly sensitive populations include pregnant women, because of the fetal transfer of lead, and children. Cognitive deficits are associated with fetal and childhood exposure to lead. An increase in blood pressure is the most sensitive adverse health effect from lead exposure in adults. Effects of kidney, nervous system, and heme-forming elements are associated with increasing blood lead concentrations, both in children and adults. Other symptoms include decreased physical fitness, fatigue, sleep disturbance, aching bones, abdominal pains and decreased appetite.

Conditions at the Site meet the requirements for implementation of a CERCLA removal action. The potential release for hazardous substances from the Site present a threat to the public health and welfare as defined by Section 300.415(b) (2) of the NCP.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

The NJDEP performed initial sampling at the Site on March 25, 2012. Nine soil samples were collected from five locations near the former location of the M.C. Canfield & Sons facility at depths ranging from 0-12 inches. Elevated levels of lead were found in the soil ranging from 753 ppm to 4,860 ppm. NJDEP referred the Site to EPA on May 9, 2012.

EPA collected soil samples between August 20th and August 30th, 2012. The sampling design employed was based on and is consistent with the EPA Superfund Lead-Contaminated Residential Sites Handbook dated August 2003. The Site was divided into 34 quadrants (P001-SS001 through P001-SS034)) and included areas of high use, such as gardens and children’s play areas. Five sample locations were designated within each quadrant and soil samples from these locations were collected from depths of 0 inches (bottom of sod), 0-2 inches, 2-6 inches, 6-12 inches, 12-18 inches, and 18-24 inches. Samples from discrete depth intervals within each quadrant were composited into one sample for that specific depth.

Lead was detected at concentrations exceeding the EPA residential soil screening level of 400 ppm in

composite surface soil samples (0-6” bgs) in 13 of the 34 quadrants at the condominium complex. These 13 quadrants have elevated lead levels outside the drip line of the buildings in surface soil. Lead was detected above 1,200 ppm in discrete surface soil samples (0-6” bgs) collected from quadrants P001-SS012, SS013, SS014 and SS015. The highest concentration of lead, found near the former M.C. Canfield & Sons facility location is 3,593 ppm.

ERRS mobilized equipment to the Site on July 10, 2014 and set up site facilities.  The crew was mobilized on 7/14/14 to begin removal activities.  Initial tasks included staging of backfill material and removal of landscape shrubs/brush in areas to be excavated.   Excavation and backfilling operations began on 7/15/14 in the northeast section of Area 1 in Quadrant 13. Soil in Area 1 is being removed down to 2 feet below grade due to the elevated lead levels in this area (ranging from 400 ppm to greater than 4,000 ppm).  Because of space restrictions and the lack of an appropriate staging area, soil is being excavated and direct loaded into 30 cubic yard roll-off containers.  EPA is also restricting the number of roll-offs delivered per day in order to ensure the safety of residents and to minimize the potential negative impacts to the community. 

EPA/ERRS is backfilling all excavated areas daily as feasible to ensure that lead contaminated soil being left in place is covered at the end of each work shift to minimize the exposure risk to the public and the potentail for fugitive contaminant migration.  Real-time air monitoring using data rams and the VIPER system is being conducted during excavation activities to ensure worker health and safety and the safety of the general public.  Air samples are being collected daily and will be analyzed at the laboratory if air monitoring indicates dust levels are above the Site action level of 30 ug/m3.  Additionally, air samples will be laboratory analyzed periodically to confirm air monitoring results.  A water truck is being used as needed to minimize the potential for dust generation during excavation activities. 

To date, excavation has been completed in the common area located in the northern section of Quadrant 13.  This area has been backfilled with a combination of stone dust, bank-run and top soil.  Snow fence was laid at the 2 foot depth prior to backfilling to demarcate the boundary between clean fill and lead contaminated soil.  Sod, shrubs and the sprinkler system have been installed to restore the area to pre-excavation conditions. 

Excavation is currently being performed in the northern section of Quadrant 12.  Approximately 2 roll-off containers per day are currently being shipped for disposal as non-hazardous waste to the Conestoga Landfill in Morgantown, PA.  Eighteen roll-off containers for a total of 306 tons have been shipped to Conestoga Landfill for disposal as of 7/28/14.  Two roll-offs for an approximate total of 72 tons were shipped on 7/29/14 to TESI Landfill in Bethlehem, PA.  The two landfills will be used as necessary to guarantee disposal capacity and meet project demands without interruption.  Total waste shipped to date is approximately 380 tons.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date

The site was referred to EPA by the NJDEP in November 2011.  EPA conducted several sampling events in support of preparing an RSE for the site. The RSE was finalized in July 2012.  EPA conducted delineation sampling in April/May 2013 in support of Action Memorandum development.  The Action Memorandum was signed by the RA on September 26, 2013 for a total project ceiling of $2,251,136.00 and included the 2 month and $2 million exemptions.

EPA has conducted two Public Meetings on 1/16/13 and 6/26/14 to discuss the results of the EPA investigations and the planned cleanup activities.  No other response actions were previously taken.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

Three areas of concern were identified in the Action Memorandum and being eligible for a response action.  The following actions are currently planned for this response:

• Area1:  excavation of contaminated soils in Area 1 to a total depth of 2 feet below grade.  Lead contaminated soils left in place will be demarcated by laying orange snow fence into the completed excavation prior to backfilling.
• Areas 2 and 3:  excavation of contaminated soils in areas of active erosion and/or where grass cover is sparse due to heavy shade and/or foot traffic. 
• Documentation of site activities including post excavation sampling and clear identification of areas where lead contaminated soil will be left in place.
• Development of institutional controls needed to address contaminated soils being left in place.  The institutional controls will be implemented by the Society Hill Phase 3 Condominium Association under NJDEP oversight through the LSRP program.  Institutional controls will likely include public education, a notification process for contractors conducting intrusive work, maintenance of good grass cover and a deed notice obtained through and issued in accordance with the NJDEP.   
• Site restoration to include backfilling with suitable fill and top soil, replacement of the sprinkler system and installation of sod, shrubs and flowers in keeping with existing landscaping at the Society Hill Phase 3 property.

 2.2.1.2 Next Steps

• Continue excavating in Area 1. 
• Continue post-excavation, backfill and site restoration activities.in excavated areas.
• Meet with NJDEP to further discuss the details of the long term management of the Site.

The Regional Administrator provided verbal authorization for an amendment to the MC Canfield Action Memorandum on 7/14/14.  The revision authorizes excavation to two feet of depth where warranted by elevated lead levels. 

1 OSC

6 ERRS

1 RST; 2 as needed to conduct additional sampling investigation work.