20+ Years On, Toxins Still Leak From Four NJ Superfund Sites

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Ground water polluted with toxic chemicals is not under control at the Brick landfill and at three other Superfund sites in Monmouth and Ocean counties, even though it's been more than 20 years since toxic waste was found at the sites, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says.

Making matters worse, the EPA's Superfund program has a backlog of sites awaiting cleanup because of a shortfall in federal funding, according to officials. The situation is especially critical in New Jersey, which has the nation's most Superfund sites -- 112 on the EPA's National Priorities List.

New Jersey generally has received more than $100 million annually from the Superfund program in recent years, including $120.4 million in 2004, which is more than adequate, according to EPA officials. But Bradley M. Campbell, state Department of Environmental Protection commissioner, said Superfund funding falls short of what is needed to clean up sites in the Garden State.

Aside from the Brick landfill, the three other local Superfund sites where contaminated ground water is not under control -- and may be spreading -- are: Imperial Oil Co. Inc./Champion Chemicals in Marlboro, Monitor Devices Inc./Intercircuits Inc. in Wall, and Wilson Farm in Plumsted, according to the EPA's Web site.

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EPA spokesman James Haklar, responding to questions about the four sites, said human exposure to contaminants is under control at them, and "there is ongoing activity to advance the overall cleanup at each of these sites." If agency officials find a threat to public health, they will "address that immediate threat," Haklar said."

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http://www.app.com/app/story/0,21625,1119698,00.html