On this page:

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

Cleanup Status

Former Brodson Properties, Inc. facility performed several interim measures to eliminate the sources of the soil and groundwater contamination including drum and tank removals and soil excavations. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is overseeing the site-wide cleanup, which is currently underway pursuant to an Administrative Consent Order (ACO) between the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and Unilever.

The facility had implemented a biosparge system for the cleanup of contaminated groundwater and is currently implementing an air sparge, soil vapor extraction and cover system at the Former Lagoon Area; an air sparge, soil vapor extraction and sulfate reduction system at the Former Manufacturing Building-South Wing Area; and an air sparge, soil vapor extraction system at the Former Wastewater Settling Tank Area. Contaminated soils were previously removed from the areas. Additional groundwater monitoring is underway.

Site Description

Unilever Bestfoods area is approximately 27 acres and is bisected by Taylortown Road into eastern and western sections. Crooked Brook further bisects the western portion of the site into northern and southern sections in Montville, New Jersey. Crooked Brook also runs along the southern boundary of the eastern portion of the site. 

The industrial history of the site dates back to the 1880s when two textile mills were constructed there. Penick Corporation purchased the property in 1945, ceasing all textile manufacturing. From 1945 to 1978, Penick Corporation primarily manufactured pharmaceutical products. In 1978, Penick terminated all manufacturing operations, and by 1983 they had decommissioned all manufacturing equipment.

In 1983, Brodson Properties, Inc. bought the property, and by 1985 they had demolished all of the structures on the property. Since 1985, the site has been dormant, with the exception of environmentally related actions. In 2002, Unilever Bestfoods became the owner of the site.

Contaminants at this Facility

There were leaks and spills in several areas, including former drum storage areas, former tank areas and a lagoon, which contaminated the soil and groundwater at the site. The soils are contaminated with volatile organics, pesticides, metals and semi-volatile organics. Groundwater is contaminated with benzene, toluene, phenol, and chromium. 

Site Responsibility at this Facility

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is overseeing the site-wide cleanup, which is currently underway pursuant to an Administrative Consent Order (ACO) between NJDEP and Unilever.