PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT
SAYREVILLE LANDFILL
SAYREVILLE, MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
- Based on the Phase I and II RI/FS, NJDOH has concluded that this site is an indeterminate public health hazard. Available data and information do not indicate that humans are being exposed or have been exposed to contaminants at levels expected to cause adverse health effects. However, insufficient data exist for all environmental media to which humans may be exposed. Potential past, present and future exposure of Sayreville Borough and South River Borough residents and nearby workers include direct contact with, ingestion and inhalation of contaminated soil on the site, and direct contact with and ingestion of metals in nearby surface water and sediment.
- Planned remedial activities (i.e., landfill cover and drum removal) should help to minimize the potential for human exposure to site contaminants in the future.
- Insufficient groundwater monitoring data exists to determine the extent and degree of contamination, particularly of metals, within the deep Farrington aquifer.
- Insufficient data exist to adequately determine whether human exposure to contaminated biota may be occurring.
- Restrict public access to the site.
- In accordance with the 1990 Record of Decision, implement remedial activities (i.e., landfill cover and drum removal) to minimize the likelihood of human exposure to contaminated subsurface soil.
- Collect additional groundwater monitoring well samples to determine the extent and degree of contamination, particularly of metals, within the deep Farrington aquifer.
- Conduct sampling and testing of biota for contaminants, such as pesticides and metals, that are likely to bioaccumulate.
- Implement appropriate measures to minimize the release of volatile organic compounds into the air during subsurface activities (i.e., drilling, digging).
- Perform continuous ambient air monitoring downwind to identify any potential release of airborne non-methane contaminants during subsurface activities.
- Provide on-site remedial workers with adequate protective equipment and training, in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.120, and follow appropriate National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration guidelines.
- Protect on-site remedial workers from possible fire or explosion hazards resulting from methane accumulation during subsurface activities.
- Implement institutional controls to prevent future use of contaminated aquifers for drinking water supplies until remediation has reduced contaminant concentrations to below levels of health concern.
HEALTH ACTIVITIES RECOMMENDATION PANEL (HARP) RECOMMENDATION
The data and information developed in the Public Health Assessment for the Sayreville Landfill,
Sayreville, New Jersey, have been evaluated by ATSDR's Health Activities Recommendation Panel
(HARP) for appropriate follow up with respect to health actions. Although exposure may have
occurred in the past, the panel determined that no follow up health actions are indicated at this time
because the exposure, if it occurred, was at low levels, of unknown duration, and the persons
potentially exposed are not known.
The Public Health Actions (PHA) plan contains a description of actions to be taken for the Sayreville Landfill site by ATSDR and NJDOH at and in the vicinity of the site following the completion of this public health assessment. The PHA plan may also describe activities planned by USEPA and NJDEPE. The purpose of the PHA plan is to ensure that this public health assessment not only identifies public health hazards, but provides a plan of action designed to mitigate and prevent adverse human health effects resulting from exposure to hazardous substances in the environment. ATSDR and NJDOH are committed to follow up on these activities to ensure that it is implemented. The public health actions to be implemented are as follows:
- NJDEPE will perform bioassay testing if the results of further surface water and sediment sampling, and the conclusions drawn from those results regarding the origin of the contamination, indicate the need for such testing.
- ATSDR and the NJDOH will coordinate with the appropriate environmental agencies to develop plans to implement the cease/reduce exposure and site characterization recommendations contained in this health assessment.
- ATSDR will provide an annual follow up to this PHAP, outlining the actions completed and those in progress. This report will be placed in repositories that contain copies of this health assessment, and will be provided to persons who request it.
ATSDR will reevaluate and expand the Public Health Action Plan (PHAP) when needed. New
environmental, toxicological, health outcome data, or the results of implementing the above
proposed actions may determine the need for additional actions at this site.
The Public Health Assessment for the Sayreville Landfill site was prepared by the New Jersey Department of Health under a cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). It is in accordance with approved methodology and procedures existing at the time the public health assessment was initiated.
Gregory V. Ulirsch
Technical Project Officer, SPS, RPB, DHAC
The Division of Health Assessment and Consultation (DHAC), ATSDR, has reviewed this Public Health Assessment and concurs with its findings.
Robert C. Williams
Division Director, DHAC, ATSDR
Laurie A. Pyrch, M.Ed.
Research Scientist II
New Jersey Department of Health
ATSDR Regional Representative:
Arthur Block
Senior Regional Representative
Regional Services
Office of the Assistant Administrator
ATSDR Technical Project Officer:
Gregory V. Ulirsch
Environmental Health Engineer
Remedial Programs Branch
Division of Health Assessment and Consultation
Any questions concerning this document should be directed to:
ATSDR Project Manager
New Jersey Department of Health
Environmental Health Service
CN 360
Trenton, NJ 08625
File Review:
- Middlesex County Health Department, North Brunswick, NJ
South River Board of Health, South River, NJ
