Published in the Asbury Park Press
By MARGARET F. BONAFIDE
STAFF WRITER
DOVER TOWNSHIP -- A citizens group has warned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency against deciding upon an unpopular cleanup method at the Ciba-Geigy Superfund site.
Peter Hibbard of Ocean County Citizens for Clean Water last night warned EPA representatives and David Williams, technical director at the Route 37 site owned by the company now called Ciba Specialty Chemicals, an emotional issue will arise if "thermal desorption" -- a form of incineration -- is chosen for the site remediation.
"All of the technologies you will see in the feasibility study, the EPA believes we can operate safely," said Romona Pezzella, an EPA representative.
The statements were made at the last public meeting before the release of the 400-page feasibility study, which is due Tuesday. The study will include technologies Ciba representatives believe can clean up sources of groundwater pollution.
Although it is not normal practice, the public, the EPA and Ciba will be receiving the report at the same time.
Pezzella, EPA remedial project manager for the site, outlined the "complicated" factors involved with the future of the site.
Now, ground water is being pumped and treated to remove the pollutants at the rate of 2.7 million gallons a day and being allowed to seep back into the ground. This is being done to prevent the movement of the plume.
If the pollution sources are eliminated, the plume will shrink, leaving a small plume near the production area of the plant.
Williams said they have eliminated several methods because they would not be feasible for a site as large as Ciba. However, officials plan to go ahead with considering other technologies including incineration with thermal desorpters to clean up the Superfund site.
Pezzella said that information obtained in 1989 that said there were 100,000 drums of toxic chemicals buried on the site and leaching into the plume have been updated to show there are only 35,000 drums buried.
Source: Asbury Park Press
Published: August 27, 1999
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