Scientific Chemical Processing

Overview

Scientific Chemical Processing operated as an industrial waste facility in Carlstadt, New Jersey from 1971 to 1980, when a court order shut it down. During that time, the facility stored roughly 375,000 gallons of hazardous substances, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in tanks, drums, and trailers. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in September 1983. The NPL is the federal list of the most contaminated sites in the country that qualify for long-term cleanup under the Superfund program.

More than 50 contaminants have been identified at the site. These include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, benzene, and vinyl chloride. PCBs, pesticides like aldrin and dieldrin, heavy metals including arsenic, chloroform, and dichloromethane are also present. These substances have been found in groundwater, soil, and sludge both on the property and in nearby off-site areas.

Cleanup is organized into three operable units (OUs), which are distinct phases targeting different problems. For on-property soil and shallow groundwater, EPA installed an underground cap and slurry walls to stop contamination from spreading, and set up a groundwater pumping system. Heavily contaminated soil was excavated and sent off-site. That phase finished in October 2011 and is now in routine operation and maintenance. For deep and off-property groundwater, EPA chose a final remedy in 2012. In the northern area, injection wells feed a substance to native bacteria that break down VOCs. In the southern area, injection wells deliver a chemical oxidizer to address 1,4-dioxane. Construction for this final phase was completed on August 6, 2025. The site is estimated to be fully ready for its anticipated reuse between September and November 2028.

Human exposure to contamination is currently under control, meaning no unacceptable pathways for people to come into contact with contaminants have been found. However, contaminated groundwater migration is not yet stabilized. Despite that, portions of the site have already been put back to productive use. A private company installed solar panels on top of the site cap in 2020, and the property now hosts a solar panel field.

The most recent five-year review was completed in November 2022 and confirmed that cleanup actions continue to protect public health and the environment. Community members with questions can contact EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator or the Remedial Project Manager. Site records are available in person at EPA's Superfund Records Center at 290 Broadway, 18th floor, New York, NY 10007, or locally at the William E. Demody Free Public Library, 420 Hackensack Street, Carlstadt, New Jersey.