Gloucester City Superfund Site 20 Times More Contaminated than 1999 Estimates, EPA Cuts Cleanup Budget in Half
A truck pulls out of the Gloucester Marine Terminal in Gloucester City. Credit: Matt Skoufalos.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates of contamination at the former Welsbach Facility superfund site in Gloucester City, New Jersey were off by a factor of 20, and the agency also excluded a newly discovered radioactive groundwater plume from its original assessments.
Nonetheless, the EPA says its models show the cancer risks from the site "are lower than or within" acceptable ranges, and has halved the scope and cost of its remediation plan.
The Welsbach Facility operated as a lighting manufacturer from 1889 to 1941, using radioactive thorium in its products. The site was added to the Superfund National Priorities List in 1984 due to widespread radioactive and chemical contamination.
In 1999, the EPA estimated the site contained about 1,000 cubic yards of radioactive waste. However, a more recent investigation found the actual volume of contaminated material is closer to 20,000 cubic yards - 20 times the original estimate.
Additionally, the EPA has identified a previously unknown radioactive groundwater plume that extends beyond the site's boundaries. The agency says this plume poses "no immediate health threat," but it will require additional cleanup efforts.
Despite the significantly greater scope of contamination, the EPA has decided to reduce the overall cleanup budget from $365 million to $180 million. This decision was made based on the agency's modeling, which suggests the cancer risks from the site are within acceptable levels.
Local officials and environmental advocates have expressed concerns about the EPA's approach. They argue that the reduced cleanup plan may not adequately address the full extent of contamination and could leave the community at risk.
The EPA maintains that its revised cleanup plan will still protect public health and the environment, but acknowledges the need for continued monitoring and potential future adjustments as the project progresses.
The Welsbach Facility superfund site cleanup is a complex and long-running effort, and the latest developments highlight the challenges in accurately assessing and remediating such heavily contaminated areas. The community will be closely watching as the EPA moves forward with its revised cleanup strategy.
A truck pulls out of the Gloucester Marine Terminal in Gloucester City. Credit: Matt Skoufalos.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates of contamination at the former Welsbach Facility superfund site in Gloucester City, New Jersey were off by a factor of 20, and the agency also excluded a newly discovered radioactive groundwater plume from its original assessments.
Nonetheless, the EPA says its models show the cancer risks from the site "are lower than or within" acceptable ranges, and has halved the scope and cost of its remediation plan.
The Welsbach Facility operated as a lighting manufacturer from 1889 to 1941, using radioactive thorium in its products. The site was added to the Superfund National Priorities List in 1984 due to widespread radioactive and chemical contamination.
In 1999, the EPA estimated the site contained about 1,000 cubic yards of radioactive waste. However, a more recent investigation found the actual volume of contaminated material is closer to 20,000 cubic yards - 20 times the original estimate.
Additionally, the EPA has identified a previously unknown radioactive groundwater plume that extends beyond the site's boundaries. The agency says this plume poses "no immediate health threat," but it will require additional cleanup efforts.
Despite the significantly greater scope of contamination, the EPA has decided to reduce the overall cleanup budget from $365 million to $180 million. This decision was made based on the agency's modeling, which suggests the cancer risks from the site are within acceptable levels.
Local officials and environmental advocates have expressed concerns about the EPA's approach. They argue that the reduced cleanup plan may not adequately address the full extent of contamination and could leave the community at risk.
The EPA maintains that its revised cleanup plan will still protect public health and the environment, but acknowledges the need for continued monitoring and potential future adjustments as the project progresses.
The Welsbach Facility superfund site cleanup is a complex and long-running effort, and the latest developments highlight the challenges in accurately assessing and remediating such heavily contaminated areas. The community will be closely watching as the EPA moves forward with its revised cleanup strategy.
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