On this page:

• Cleanup Status
• Site Description
• Contaminants at this Facility
• Site Responsibility

Cleanup Status

The property is being cleaned up under the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Site Remediation Program through a cleanup agreement between DuPont and NJDEP. Several phases of environmental investigation have been conducted at the facility since the 1980s. DuPont has removed areas of soil contamination and donated a portion of the property to the Borough of Sayreville for green space.

DuPont completed two bioventing interim remedial measures to address sources of volatile organic compounds in soils which were identified as sources to groundwater impact, and operated a system to pump and treat contaminated groundwater. DuPont designed and installed enhancements to the pump and treat system for more efficient and effective containment of impacted groundwater beneath the site. New extraction wells, treatment system complex and rapid infiltration basins were constructed and are operating. DuPont has submitted a permit application to NJDEP for the discharge of treated groundwater under a New Jersey Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NJPDES) Permit, as the design infiltration rate for the rapid infiltration basins has not been attained. DuPont is also monitoring the groundwater to assess the effectiveness of the pump and treat system.

DuPont will continue investigation, evaluation, and cleanup of contamination related to site operations, as appropriate. NJDEP requires a deed notice for site contamination to restrict uses of the property. NJDEP also imposes restrictions on the use of groundwater for as long as it remains contaminated.

Site Description

DuPont has owned and operated a chemical manufacturing plant on Cheesequake Road in Parlin, New Jersey, since 1904. DuPont manufactured a variety of products at the plant including, photographic films, automotive paints, pigments, adhesives, thinners, finishes and related specialty products.

The 220-acre facility has modified its operations and, since 1991, has manufactured Cyrel flexographic printing plates used for the printing industry, Teflon nonstick coatings for cookware and electronic resins for the computer industry. DuPont used to store hazardous waste in containers, but the containers were removed, and the area was clean closed. 

Contaminants at this Facility

The groundwater at the DuPont facility is contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, trichloroethene, 1, 2-dichloroethane and vinyl chloride.  The VOCs have been detected in the shallow and deeper groundwater beneath the site, as well as at off-site deeper groundwater locations. Additional investigations are being conducted to delineate 1,4-dioxane and perfluorooctanoic acid in groundwater. 

Site Responsibility at this Facility

The property is being cleaned up under the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Site Remediation Program through a remedial action cleanup agreement between DuPont and NJDEP that was effected in 1992.