Case Summary: Agreement Reached for Cleaning up the American Cyanamid Superfund Site in New Jersey

On March 18, 2013, the EPA entered into a legal agreement with Wyeth Holdings Corporation, a subsidiary of the Pfizer Corporation, to perform pre-construction design work, an initial step in the cleanup of the American Cyanamid Superfund site in Bridgewater Township, N.J. The remedial design project is expected to cost $14.5 million. The administrative settlement agreement and order on consent for remedial design is for operable unit (OU) 4 and the focus feasibility study (FFS) for OU 8

The agreement also requires the company to complete a study evaluating alternatives for cleaning up two additional chemical waste areas (called impoundments 1 and 2). In addition, Wyeth Holdings Corporation agreed to continue to operate a system for collecting and treating contaminated ground water underneath the site to prevent it from seeping into the nearby Raritan River, Cuckhold’s Brook, and Middle Brook. All cleanup work will be done under the EPA’s oversight.

• Information about Wyeth Holdings Corporation
• Information about the American Cyanamid Superfund Superfund Site
• Pollutants and Environmental Effects
• Contact Information

Information about Wyeth Holdings Corporation

Wyeth Holdings Corporation, a life sciences company, is based in Wayne, N.J. and operates as a subsidiary of Pfizer Inc.

Information about the American Cyanamid Superfund Site

The 575-acre American Cyanamid Superfund Site has a history of industrial pollution dating back to 1915. The site is located adjacent to the Raritan River and lies above the Brunswick Aquifer, New Jersey’s second largest source for drinking water. Area residents are serviced by a public water supply that provides a safe source of drinking water.

For nearly 100 years, prior owners used the location for manufacturing chemicals. A number of impoundments were constructed and used for waste storage and disposal throughout this time period, which eventually resulted in the contamination of soil and ground water. The site was placed on the federal Superfund list in 1983 after hazardous chemicals were found in the impoundments, soil and ground water.  The Record of Decision (ROD) for Operable Unit 4 was issued by EPA in September 2012. More information is available on the American Cyanamid Superfund site profile page.

Pollutants and Environmental Effects

For nearly 100 years, prior owners used the location for manufacturing chemicals and disposed of chemical sludge and other wastes on the property. The soil, ground water and waste disposal areas, called impoundments, are contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-VOCs, metals, and other harmful chemicals The ground water underlying the site is highly contaminated with benzene.

Contact Information

For more information contact:

Meredith Fishburn
Attorney-Advisor
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 564-4790
[email protected]