White Chemical Corp.

Overview

The White Chemical Corp. site covers 4.4 acres in Newark, New Jersey. The company made acid chlorides, brominated organics, and mineral acids there from 1983 to 1990. Improper storage of more than 10,000 drums and containers led to soil and groundwater contamination. EPA added the site to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in September 1991. The site is divided into three operable units targeting surface contamination, soil, and groundwater separately.

Contaminants of concern include chlorinated solvents in groundwater such as trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, various dichloroethenes, trichloroethanes, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dibromoethane, vinyl chloride, and others. Soil contamination includes trichloroethene, 1,2-dichloroethane, and xylene compounds. Debris at the site contained a broader range of chemicals including benzene, toluene diisocyanate, sulfuric acid, chromic acid, hydrazine, and various other organic and inorganic substances.

Two of three cleanup phases are complete. Between 1991 and 1993, EPA removed tanks, drums, vats, and lab containers from the surface. From 2006 to 2009, EPA demolished nine buildings and removed about 21,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil, then covered the area with clean soil and stone. Sampling in 2016 and 2021 found no vapor intrusion impacts to nearby buildings. Groundwater remediation began in April 2022 using bioremediation, which injects nutrients and naturally occurring microbes to break down contaminants. EPA expects multiple injection rounds and ongoing monitoring of groundwater wells.

All nearby homes and businesses connect to the municipal water system, so no one uses the contaminated groundwater for drinking. Human exposure is currently under control, but groundwater migration is not yet stabilized and physical cleanup construction is not complete. EPA is working with the City of Newark and a developer to ensure future construction includes vapor barriers. The City of Newark foreclosed on the property in 1996 for unpaid taxes. In August 2019, EPA, the city, and a prospective purchaser agreed to redevelop the site in two phases: first as a secured commercial parking facility, then as an industrial warehouse once groundwater cleanup is done. The most recent five-year review was completed in December 2021, with the next review estimated for December 2026 through February 2027.

Community members can participate in cleanup decisions through EPA's Community Involvement Program. For questions, residents can contact the Community Involvement Coordinator, Remedial Project Manager, or another EPA staff member. Site records are available at EPA's Superfund Records Center at 290 Broadway, 18th floor, in New York, and at the Newark Public Library at 5 Washington Street in Newark.