Montclair/West Orange Radium Site

Overview

The Montclair/West Orange Radium Site covers about 120 acres in Montclair and West Orange, Essex County, New Jersey. It includes 469 residential and 10 municipal properties. Radium-processing facilities operating in the early 1900s left behind waste materials that were used as fill in low-lying areas and mixed into cement for sidewalks and foundations. In the 1920s, homes were built on this contaminated land. Testing in 1983 found elevated radon gas and gamma radiation inside and outside several homes. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List (NPL) in February 1985.

The main contaminants of concern are lead and radium, including radium-226, found in soil, and radon-222 found in groundwater. These substances posed health risks through radon gas inhalation and gamma radiation exposure in homes. EPA organized the cleanup into three operable units (OUs). OU1 addressed mitigation systems and homes. OU2 covered groundwater, and investigations determined no further action was needed there. OU3 handled home and street remediation using excavation, offsite disposal, and monitoring.

Emergency actions began in 1983, with temporary ventilation systems installed in 38 homes to reduce radon and radiation shielding added in 12 homes. Permanent cleanup started in 1990. Workers excavated radium-contaminated soil in 15 construction phases, starting with the most heavily contaminated properties. Some cleanups removed only a few cubic yards of soil, while others required excavating entire parcels, including material under basement slabs. Residents at the most affected properties were temporarily relocated during this work. Radon mitigation systems were upgraded to higher-efficiency units in 1990 and 1991. All cleanup and restoration work was completed in December 2004.

EPA confirmed that human exposure to contamination is under control, with no unacceptable exposure pathways remaining. Groundwater migration is stabilized and poses no unacceptable discharge to surface water. The site achieved sitewide ready for anticipated use status in March 2009, confirming all cleanup goals for current and future land uses have been met. EPA deleted the site from the NPL in September 2009. The cleanup allowed hundreds of residents to stay in their homes and preserved the use of municipal parks and streets. EPA continues monitoring to ensure contaminated groundwater stays within its original area.

Community members with questions can contact the site's Community Involvement Coordinator or Remedial Project Manager. Site records are available for in-person review at the EPA Superfund Records Center at 290 Broadway, 18th floor, New York, New York.