All News Releases By Date

Lead Contaminated Soil Removed from Camden, New Jersey Site

Release Date: 02/07/2005
Contact Information:

FOR RELEASE: Monday, February 7, 2005

(#05010) NEW YORK, N.Y. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has removed more than 630 tons of lead-contaminated soil from an unpaved road adjacent to the Barry Bronze Bearing Company in Camden, New Jersey. The soil, removed from Bulson Street, was contaminated with lead from the former metal casting operations.

"This cleanup is further proof that Superfund is working," said Acting EPA Regional Administrator Kathleen C. Callahan. "In a very short time, EPA was able to identify and eliminate a potential threat to the Camden community."

The Barry Bronze Bearing Company, located at 2204 South 7th Street, manufactured metal castings from 1928 until August 1997. Sand from the casting process was used as road fill along Bulson Street. An operating railroad line runs along Bulson Street, and the street is used by the community.

In the spring of 2004, the City of Camden asked EPA to evaluate contamination at the Barry Bronze site. As part of this assessment, EPA collected approximately 150 samples along Bulson Street and found elevated levels of lead in the soil. Based on these samples, the Agency decided to excavate the contaminated surface soil. EPA started field work in mid-October, and completed excavation activities in mid-December. Contaminated soil was shipped to an EPA-approved disposal facility located in Hatfield, Pennsylvania.

Once the lead-contaminated soil was removed, EPA spread approximately 550 tons of stone along Bulson Street over the excavated areas. The Agency also installed a fence along the north side of Bulson Street, and improved drainage on the north side of the train tracks. In the spring, EPA will plant vegetation along an embankment.