EPA Updates Cleanup Plan for Cosden Chemical Coatings Corporation Superfund Site

Aug. 23, 2022
EPA and the Army Corps used in-situ chemical oxidation to turn the harmful contaminants at the Cosden site groundwater into less toxic byproducts

The U.S. EPA proposed an update to its original cleanup plan for the Cosden Chemical Coatings Corporation Superfund site in Beverly, New Jersey.

According to EPA, this follows a successful pilot study completed in 2021.

The proposal includes cleanup technology to "supplement earlier groundwater treatment by injecting chemical oxidants directly into the aquifer to help break down hazardous contaminants into less toxic byproducts."

"A full cleanup of the contamination at the Cosden Chemical Coatings Corporation Superfund site is critical to ensuring environmental and public health in Beverly, New Jersey," said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia, reported EPA. "Carried out by EPA, working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the successful pilot study demonstrated a unique ability to address the remaining groundwater contaminants at this site, and EPA is committed to employing all available technologies to get the job done."

The cleanup technique is in-situ chemical oxidation. Through a network of 30 monitoring wells, EPA and the Army Corps used in-situ chemical oxidation to turn the harmful contaminants at the Cosden site groundwater into less toxic byproducts, which supplements earlier groundwater pumping and treatment work.

This work, according to EPA, has treated over 280 million gallons of water since 2009. Additionally, the cleanup includes long-term monitoring.

EPA reports that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection concurs with EPA’s preferred alternative in the proposed plan.

The Cosden Chemical Coatings Corporation was a paint formulation and manufacturing company which began operating in 1945, producing coatings for industrial applications and recycling manufacturing solvents until 1974.

These operations ultimately contaminated soil and groundwater with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

The New Jersey EPA inspected the site in 1980. Surface spills and several hundred unsecured drums were discovered, resulting in a cleanup plan in 1992 to address the contaminated building, soil, and groundwater.

Since then, EPA reports that soil remediation is complete and so is the demolition of the contaminated building. 

The proposed plan's 30-day public comment period will occur from Jul. 29, 2022, to Aug. 29, 2022. EPA also hosted a virtual public meeting on Aug. 16, 2022, at 6 p.m.  

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Cristina Tuser

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