High Arsenic Concentration Found At East Brunswick High School Grounds

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — High level of arsenic concentration was found at a field on the East Brunswick High School property, Superintendent Victor Valeski informed the Board and community during the Dec. 1 Board of Education meeting.

The contamination was found at the northeast portion of the school property during an environmental evaluation of the site. The area is now off-limits to all students and staff, Valeski said.

The testing was done as part of an environmental evaluation undertaken as the district is planning to build a new school on the existing site.

The area, with low-lying vegetation and grass-covered pathways, was used intermittently as a cross country course. Historically, it was used for agricultural purposes, hence the presence of arsenic due to pesticides used in the soil, Valeski said.

Valeski assured the school community that contamination was not found on any other site at the school.

“This is a common occurrence on parcels that were historically farmed. As legally applied arsenic-containing pesticides were previously used throughout New Jersey, I want to emphasize the contamination does not extend to any other portions of the high school property,” Valeski said.

A licensed site remediation professional will develop a plan to tackle the issue, which will then be submitted for approval to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. This may lead to “remedial measures,” Valeski said.

Board member Jeffrey Winston asked Valeski about the health impacts on students who might have been exposed to the area over the years. Especially students who have been using the site as a cross country course.

Valeski said that running on the course should not have any adverse impacts on student health.

“Information from the scientist who evaluated the samples from the site indicated to us that the only adverse impact would be if one were to actually consume the dirt,” Valeski said.

“We never had an indication from any scientists looking at any of our samples that indicated risk to any prior occupant, or anybody who currently would have been in this year.”

However, as a precautionary measure, the district has decided to make the area off-limits to students and staff.

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