On this page:

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

Cleanup Status

Following the closing of the facility at the end of July 1998, the Givaudan infrastructure was razed and the property was redeveloped into commercial/industrial warehousing facilities. Specific activities included the decommissioning of three sewer systems (chemical, sanitary, and storm sewers) and removal of the soil associated with the sewer system. The selected remedy for soils incorporated the installation of a low-permeability asphalt cover over the majority of the site property, construction of warehouses, installation of a fence around the perimeter of the site, and recording of a deed notice to restrict future uses of the property. 

An indoor air quality monitoring program is already in place for the warehouse buildings located on site.  Although monthly soil gas samples are taken from several locations and indoor air sampling was also conducted, NJDEP requested Givaudan to install new shallow monitoring wells to further evaluate the Vapor Intrusion (VI) pathway for Buildings Nos.1, 3 and 102. Givaudan will continue evaluating the VI impacts to determine whether a mitigation plan is required.

Givaudan also continues to investigate groundwater contamination on and off-site. Additional monitoring wells will be installed as requested by NJDEP to further delineate the vertical and horizontal extent of groundwater contamination. Data from the quarterly groundwater monitoring will be used to evaluate the final remedy for groundwater, to help define the groundwater Classification Exception Area (CEA) and to establish a long term monitoring program.

Site Description

The former Givaudan Roure Corporation (Givaudan) site is situated on approximately 31 acres in a mixed industrial/residential area of Clifton, Passaic County, New Jersey. The Passaic River is located approximately 0.3 miles to the southeast of the site and is tidally influenced at this location. 

Givaudan manufactured flavors, fragrances, and specialty chemicals such as pharmaceutical intermediates and pesticides. Givaudan ceased operation of the facility in July 1998 and currently, the property is occupied by three warehouse buildings in active use that are owned and operated by the Morris Companies. Despite the change in site ownership, Givaudan retains responsibility for ongoing groundwater remedial action and monitoring at the former Givaudan site. 

Contaminants at this Facility

Groundwater and soil investigation identified chemical compounds in concentrations above state standards, including 1,2-dichloroethane (DCA), tetrachchloroethene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), cis-1,2-dichloroethene (DCE), 1,1-DCE, 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA), bromodichloroethene, benzene, chlorobenzene, vinyl chloride, and xylene.

Site Responsibility at this Facility

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Corrective Action activities at this facility have been conducted under the direction of EPA Region 2.