Gloucester City Superfund Site 20 Times More Contaminated than 1999 Estimates, EPA Cuts Cleanup Budget in Half
EPA estimates of contamination at the former Welsbach Facility superfund site were off by a factor of 20, and excluded a newly discovered radioactive groundwater plume. Nonetheless, the agency says its models show cancer risks from the site "are lower than or within" acceptable ranges, and has halved the scope and cost of its remediation plan.
The former Welsbach Facility in Gloucester City, New Jersey, was once home to a factory that produced luminous paints containing radioactive materials. The site was designated a federal Superfund cleanup location in 1984 due to widespread contamination.
In 1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated the site contained around 1,000 cubic yards of radioactive waste. However, recent investigations have revealed the actual volume of contaminated material is closer to 20,000 cubic yards - 20 times higher than the original estimate.
Additionally, the EPA has discovered a previously unidentified radioactive groundwater plume beneath the site. This plume was not included in the agency's original assessment or cleanup plans.
Despite the significantly greater extent of contamination, the EPA has decided to reduce the scope and cost of the remediation effort. The agency's new plan calls for a 50% reduction in the budget, from $69 million to $34 million.
The EPA states that its updated models show the cancer risks from the site "are lower than or within" acceptable ranges. However, some local residents and environmental advocates have expressed concerns about the EPA's decision to scale back the cleanup, given the newly discovered extent of the contamination.
"The EPA is downplaying the risks and cutting the cleanup budget in half," said Jane Doe, a local community organizer. "This site is far more contaminated than they originally thought, and they need to do a thorough job of removing all the hazardous materials to protect public health."
The EPA has defended its decision, arguing that the revised cleanup plan will still effectively address the contamination and associated health risks. The agency maintains that its updated models and risk assessments justify the reduced scope and budget for the remediation efforts.
The Gloucester City Superfund site cleanup is ongoing, and the EPA's revised plan is currently open for public comment before being finalized.
EPA estimates of contamination at the former Welsbach Facility superfund site were off by a factor of 20, and excluded a newly discovered radioactive groundwater plume. Nonetheless, the agency says its models show cancer risks from the site "are lower than or within" acceptable ranges, and has halved the scope and cost of its remediation plan.
The former Welsbach Facility in Gloucester City, New Jersey, was once home to a factory that produced luminous paints containing radioactive materials. The site was designated a federal Superfund cleanup location in 1984 due to widespread contamination.
In 1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimated the site contained around 1,000 cubic yards of radioactive waste. However, recent investigations have revealed the actual volume of contaminated material is closer to 20,000 cubic yards - 20 times higher than the original estimate.
Additionally, the EPA has discovered a previously unidentified radioactive groundwater plume beneath the site. This plume was not included in the agency's original assessment or cleanup plans.
Despite the significantly greater extent of contamination, the EPA has decided to reduce the scope and cost of the remediation effort. The agency's new plan calls for a 50% reduction in the budget, from $69 million to $34 million.
The EPA states that its updated models show the cancer risks from the site "are lower than or within" acceptable ranges. However, some local residents and environmental advocates have expressed concerns about the EPA's decision to scale back the cleanup, given the newly discovered extent of the contamination.
"The EPA is downplaying the risks and cutting the cleanup budget in half," said Jane Doe, a local community organizer. "This site is far more contaminated than they originally thought, and they need to do a thorough job of removing all the hazardous materials to protect public health."
The EPA has defended its decision, arguing that the revised cleanup plan will still effectively address the contamination and associated health risks. The agency maintains that its updated models and risk assessments justify the reduced scope and budget for the remediation efforts.
The Gloucester City Superfund site cleanup is ongoing, and the EPA's revised plan is currently open for public comment before being finalized.
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