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2nd Quarter 2003
The opinions expressed are those of Bruce Anderson.
This site is updated periodically, so please check often.
Air Monitoring for the Ciba Geigy Superfund Site
Toms River, New Jersey
Some concerns have been express at recent meetings to the EPA on the proposed air monitoring for the Ciba Geigy superfund site in Toms River, NJ and the proposed EPA web site for air monitoring.
We have requested real time air monitoring data for the EPA web site, not the 24 hour delayed updating as the EPA plans on doing. How useful is air-monitoring data that is 24 hours old, EPA and Ciba have stated they need the 24-hour delay to review the data. Why? Is the data going to change?
Another question was asked recently, "what is the backup power supply to the air monitors in case normal power is lost", answer there is none, except for a battery on the unit that could last up to fifteen minutes.
Does airborne contaminates seceeist to become airborne on lost of power? Where is the planning to protect the public?
Public Health Evaluation of the Proposed Air Monitoring Plan
Ciba Geigy, Dover Township (Toms River), New Jersey
(A Citizen's Guide to the Health Consultation, April 2003
The Citizens' Action Committee on Childhood Cancer (CACCCC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) requested that the proposed plan to monitor air quality during the Ciba-Geigy soil remediation be evaluated for its protectiveness of health. The Health Consultation that provides that
evaluation is a culmination of reviews of several drafts of the plan and numerous discussions between the USEPA and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Several health recommendations were made and incorporated into the plan during the course of those
discussions. The Health Consultation was also reviewed by the CACCCC, the Ocean County Health Department, the Toxic Environment Affects Children's Health group, and others, and their comments are addressed.
What is the overall purpose of the air monitoring plan?
Over an approximately six year period, seven separate areas on the Ciba-Geigy site will undergo remedial activities that will include excavating 150,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil and removing 32,000 drums of waste. These removal activities have the potential to release volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds
and particulates. The proposed air monitoring plan provides methods to prevent exposures to nearby residents by defining what actions should be taken when contamination levels in air exceed pre-determined levels ("action levels").
What did the NJDHSS and the ATSDR consider in their evaluation of the plan?
Over an approximately six year period, seven separate areas on the Ciba-Geigy site will undergo remedial activities that will include excavating 150,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil and removing 32,000 drums of waste. These removal activities have the potential to release volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds
and particulates. The proposed air monitoring plan provides methods to prevent exposures to nearby residents by defining what actions should be taken when contamination levels in air exceed pre-determined levels ("action levels").
The Toxic Contents from Both Landfills
on the Ciba-Geigy Superfund Site
should be Removed
Toms River, New Jersey
Approximately 38,000 drums of toxic waste will be left on the Ciba-Geigy Superfund Site in one landfill, while 35,000 drums of toxic waste will be removed from another. EPA officials have expressed no interest in these additional drums and are not interested in the public concern.
Why aren't our government agencies working with and protecting the citizens, instead of having close ties to the corporate giants. It is only common sense to remove all drums of toxic waste now, not when the drums leak and pollute our aquifer, which will occur over time. Toms River has enough contamination plumes to
deal with, why clean up one and leave a potential one for our children? The access road to remove these drums is here today and removal can be completed if only the company and our officials would listen to our concerns.
We encourage the public to help us by writing letters to the Governor of New Jersey, Senators and Representatives on all levels requesting that action be taken to remove all toxic drums of waste buried on the Ciba Geigy superfund site. Please help support our efforts, for now is the time to take action to remove these additional 38,000 drums.
This link is to the March 2002 cover page on Cell 1 and the 38,000 additional drums
This link is to the News Article on the EPA Meeting of May 29,2002.
This link is to the Asbury Park Press Editorial of June 1, 2002
Several important meetings are scheduled, for further details look under "Local Events" on the sidebar or click on this link.
The previous cover page can be found under "RESOURCES", Previous Month's Cover Pages.
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