All News Releases By Date

EPA Removes Drums of Hazardous Materials from Landfill in Jersey City

Release Date: 11/16/2006
Contact Information: Ben Barry (212) 637-3651, [email protected]

(New York, NY) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is preparing to remove exposed steel drums and other containers from a century old landfill in Jersey City, New Jersey. For the next six months, EPA will be working with its contractor to identify the contents of the drums and containers in order to dispose of them at an appropriate facility. Interested individuals can attend a public information session on November 20, 2006 at the Frank E. Conwell Middle School #4 Cafeteria from 3:00 to 7:00 pm to learn more about how EPA will conduct the work at the landfill.

“We don’t know what is in some of these drums and that is a cause of concern for us,” said Regional Administrator Alan J. Steinberg. “Removing the drums will help limit the contamination and make it easier for the city to continue the cleanup at the landfill.”

In 1991, EPA assisted state and local emergency response personnel with extinguishing a large tire fire at the landfill. In order to alleviate the chance of fire, EPA installed firebreaks and a security fence as well as removed exposed rums, cylinders and tanks. In May 2006, additional drums became exposed due to soil erosion and other conditions at the site.

The Turnpike Dump site was a landfill that was operated without a permit from the 1900's through the 1980's. A variety of materials have been found at the site including ash, tires, construction debris, drums, cylinders, metals, and vehicles. It is surrounded by the Children’s and Wilzig Hospitals as well as homes and commercial establishments.

For more information about this site, please visit EPA’s Web site at: https://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/removal/turnpikedump/

06-171