Chemsol, Inc.

Overview

From the 1950s through 1964, Chemsol, Inc. ran a solvent recovery and waste reprocessing operation on a 40-acre property in Piscataway, New Jersey. Accidents, fires, and explosions contaminated soil, groundwater, and air. The site was added to the National Priorities List in 1983 and has been in active cleanup ever since. Physical construction is not yet complete across the full site, and the site has not been deleted from the list or certified ready for reuse.

Sixteen contaminants of concern have been identified. Most are found in groundwater and include volatile organic compounds such as benzene, vinyl chloride, trichloroethene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, 1,2-dichloroethane, and 1,2-dichloroethene. The site also contains acetone, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), semi-volatile organic compounds, and manganese in both soil and groundwater. Barium, lead, and pesticides are associated with areas addressed by interim remedies.

Cleanup is organized into three operable units. Potentially Responsible Parties installed a groundwater extraction and treatment system in 1994 under the first unit. It removes organic solvents from contaminated water and stops polluted groundwater from spreading beyond the property. The system entered an operation and maintenance phase in October 2011. The second unit involved removing about 53,000 tons of soil and stream sediment contaminated with PCBs and lead in 2001 and 2002. Because some bedrock areas could not be fully cleaned, deed restrictions now prohibit residential use of portions of the site and contact with soil that exceeds residential cleanup standards. Wetland areas disturbed during that soil removal have been fully restored and now provide green space. The third unit addresses off-site groundwater that has migrated beyond the property. A record of decision for that unit is estimated between June and August 2026, with remedial design expected to begin between July and September 2027.

Homes and businesses nearby connect to public water supplies. A Classification Exception Area prohibits installation and use of groundwater wells north-northeast of the site. The most recent five-year review was completed in August 2025. Current data on whether human exposures are controlled and whether groundwater migration is stabilized is insufficient across the full site, reflecting that cleanup response is still underway.

Community members can review site records at EPA Region 2's office at 290 Broadway in New York City or at the Kennedy Library at 500 Hoes Lane in Piscataway. Key documents, decision records, and administrative files spanning several decades are available. Residents can also participate through EPA's Community Involvement Program. For direct questions, contact the Community Involvement Coordinator or the Remedial Project Manager.