The public health assessment report regarding the remediation project at North Brunswick Township High School maintains that there is “no apparent health risk” at the school and its surrounding areas.
A new report was issued last month by New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services and the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, discussing the effects of contamination found on the site in 2003.
The report, which was brought forth to the public during an input session in January 2008, states that there are no cancer or noncancer health risks associated with the project.
“I feel that it has been a positive process to have an independent authority like this agency review the actions that have gone on [and to know] the appropriate steps have been taken to safeguard the public,” said township Business Administrator Robert Lombard.
“In looking at the fact that this is a federal agency whose mission is to safeguard the public, I feel more reassured about their involvement,” he said.
In July 2003, waste material consisting of pharmaceutical and laboratory wastes, glass vials, bottles and an unidentified dark brown material were uncovered near and within the oval area of the high school, which is where the current auditorium sits.
The primary concern for the high school, Veterans Park, Judd Elementary School, a PSE&G easement and six nearby residences was arsenic in surface soil, lead in settled dust and tetrachloroethylene (TCE) in groundwater.
It is believed that the site was used as a municipal dump between the 1940s and 1960s.
Since that time, officials said 54 soil samples and 18 interior surface samples were taken from the high school, and 10 interior surface samples were collected from Judd, with follow-up tests conducted. The high school perimeter and football field, as well as the neighboring park and residences at block 143, lots 94.01 and 95.01 were also examined.
Initially, approximately 9,200 cubic yards of waste materials and soil were excavated and removed from the area, according to the report.
Veterans Park still needs to be remediated but the project is progressing, according to Lombard, with all of the preliminary approvals granted by the state. The construction documents are currently being finalized so that the township can go out to bid for the project.
In addition, there are two lots near the high school that still need to be remediated, Lombard said. However, he said that since the chemicals are heavy metals, they are “fairly inert” and do not move down dramatically into ground water. He said in the meantime, residents have not been allowed on the properties.
“We feel we’ve taken adequate precaution,” Lombard said.
There will be further efforts to continue to oversee and limit any possible groundwater and vapor contamination, such as a proposed remedial action work plan by the Kleinfelder environmental firm based on a pilot treatment to neutralize TCE in the ground water.
There is also ongoing litigation between the township and potential responsible parties, but information cannot be released at this time, Lombard said.
Copies of the report are available at the business administrator’s office or the municipal clerk’s office at 710 Hermann Road. For more information, contact Lombard at (732) 247- 0922, ext. 435, or at RLombard@ northbrunswickonline.com.