The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans this winter to put forward a cleanup plan for groundwater contaminated with cancer-causing chromium under a Garfield neighborhood, the Record reported.
GARFIELD -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans this winter to put forward a cleanup plan for groundwater contaminated with cancer-causing chromium under a Garfield neighborhood, the Record reported.
Scientists may try a combination of cleanup methods.
They are considering injecting vegetable oil underground to generate bacteria that can break down chromium to a less toxic form. They would also pump water to the surface near the E.C. Electroplating plant on Clark Street--the source of the pollution--and treat it there.
The EPA still lacks the money to complete the project. Judith Enck, the EPA regional administrator for New Jersey and New York, estimated at a hearing in 2014 that the cleanup would cost tens of millions of dollars.
Chromium has been leaching into the soil near the E.C. Electroplating plant since a spill in 1983. The plant ceased operation in 2009.
Myles Ma may be reached at mma@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MylesMaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.