More Chemicals Found At Toxic Site In N.J. Town

The levels of a toxic chemical thought to cause cancer has twice been found in concentrations greater than the state's standard for groundwater at the Ford Superfund Site in Ringwood, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said in a report issued Thursday.

In the latest round of testing, 1.4-dioxane, which has been linked to cancer, was found in concentrations in groundwater greater than the state's standard of 0.4 micrograms in 17 samples taken, the report stated. The levels were similar to those taken from samples at the site earlier this year.

The water-soluble compound was also found in eight streams and brooks on site, but not in the Wanaque Reservoir, according to the EPA's report. It was primarily detected in the Peter's Mine portion of the site. It has been known to cause kidney and liver damage if exposed to for a long period of time.

Groundwater and surface water have been monitored at the site and nearby since the 1980s and there is no evidence that the contaminated groundwater is impacting the Wanaque Reservoir.

The EPA has not scheduled another round of testing.

The borough, the EPA, and Ford did not notify the public about the presence of 1.4-dioxane at the site after finding it there in April 2015, The Record reported. They want to leave the majority of remaining pollution where it is and just cap the site with asphalt, the report said.

The matter was set to go before the public in a referendum, but a judge ruled in September against putting it on the ballot, the report said.

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