December 2021
The Raritan River and the entire tri-state region experienced historic flooding as a result of rains associated with Tropical Depression Ida. Pfizer Inc. and the Wyeth Holdings LLC team implemented the Flood Emergency Procedures and Flood Management and Response Plans approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for the Site.
Flood response and recovery efforts are now complete and Site operations have returned to normal.
- Site operations continue from the Operations Center on Polhemus Lane.
- Site security is monitored and patrolled by a 24/7 on-site security team and surveillance cameras.
- The groundwater treatment facility on Polhemus Lane is operating 24/7.
- Routine monitoring (e.g., surface water and groundwater) is being performed in accordance with the USEPA-approved schedule.
- Resiliency infrastructure built over the past decade performed as intended; additional resiliency projects are planned.
June 2020
The OU8 remedial design phase includes a demonstration project, or field trial, during which impoundment material will be remediated in accordance with the USEPA-approved remedy. Wyeth began mobilizing materials and equipment in May 2020 and initiated small-scale implementation of remediation activities on June 22, 2020. The remedy demonstration was completed in August and demobilization will continue into September 2020. The work plan includes additional safety procedures, odor and emission control measures and an extensive air monitoring program that will be in place throughout the remedy demonstration process. Additional information on the remedy demonstration, including safety measures can be found on this Fact Sheet.
May 2018
On May 23, 2018, USEPA released its proposed remedial action plan (Proposed Plan) to address Operable Unit 8, commonly referred to as Impoundments 1 and 2, at the American Cyanamid Superfund Site. USEPA’s Proposed Plan is based upon a comprehensive Focused Feasibility Study (FFS) process, which included an extensive evaluation of available technologies conducted by experienced scientists and engineers. The Proposed Plan and FSS are available to the public at the Bridgewater Township Library and the USEPA Region 2 Superfund Records Center. USEPA scheduled a public meeting on June 12, 2018 to explain the Proposed Plan and all of the alternatives presented in the Feasibility Study.
December 2015
The United States, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and Wyeth Holdings LLC (WH), formerly known as American Cyanamid Company and the current owner of the American Cyanamid Superfund Site, have reached a formal agreement to proceed with implementation of the site-wide remedy at the American Cyanamid Superfund Site.
Under this agreement, WH will move forward with the implementation of the remedy of site soils, site groundwater, and a majority of the remaining impoundments still requiring remediation, as described in the Record of Decision issued by USEPA on September 27, 2012. This Consent Decree is an important step that allows WH to continue moving forward with efforts to address impacts from past industrial operations on the site.
January 2014
A Pilot Study, or field demonstration test, is underway on Impoundments 1 and 2, located south of the freight rail line. Design of the field demonstration test was completed in June 2013 and construction of the required infrastructure began in August 2013. The pilot test will operate through the first half of 2014. All work is being done with oversight by USEPA and NJDEP.
March 2013
On March 18, 2013, USEPA and WH executed an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent to move forward with remedial design for the site-wide remedy and other technical elements at the American Cyanamid Superfund Site. Under this agreement, WH will move forward with design and engineering to address site-wide soil, groundwater and six impoundments still requiring remediation, as described in the Record of Decision issued by USEPA on September 27, 2012. This agreement also formally authorizes WH to prepare the Focused Feasibility Study (FFS) for USEPA Operable Unit 8 (OU8), commonly referred to as Impoundments 1 and 2. In addition, under this agreement WH will continue ongoing monitoring of ambient air, groundwater, surface water and sediment, as well as operation of the groundwater Removal Action system located in the southeast portion of the property.
March 2012
The USEPA released the Proposed Plan for the American Cyanamid Superfund Site on February 16, 2012. This plan identifies the preferred alternative for addressing the site-wide soils, groundwater, and the contents of the impoundments that have not yet been remediated, with the exception of Impoundments 1 and 2, and provides the rationale for those preferences.
USEPA held a public meeting on March 8, 2012 to explain the Proposed Plan and the alternatives presented in the Feasibility Study. USEPA accepted written comments on the Proposed Plan during the public comment period which ran through May 15, 2012.
The Proposed Plan and Site-Wide Feasibility Study, and other supporting documents, are available to the public at the Bridgewater Township Branch of the Somerset County Library, the USEPA Region 2 Records Center, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Winter 2011
A revised site-wide Feasibility Study, which describes a number of alternative remedial approaches, was submitted to USEPA in December 2010. This comprehensive document was reviewed by USEPA, NJDEP, Bridgewater Township, and CRISIS. Based upon the comments received from stakeholders, Pfizer will submit a revised Site-wide FS and proposed Site-wide Remedy by August 2011.
In January 2011, Pfizer received test data on water that was reaching the Raritan River through a seep, which is a natural phenomenon where groundwater reaches the ground surface. The data showed detectable concentrations of certain organic compounds, including benzene that exceeded certain New Jersey State surface water criteria. Pfizer alerted the USEPA and the NJDEP that same day and began developing both short- and long-term plans to stop the compounds from reaching the Raritan River. Working with USEPA, NJDEP and other stakeholders, Pfizer developed and secured approval to install activated carbon sandbags at the groundwater table near the river’s edge. This immediate action, which is designed to treat the compounds before reaching the river, was completed in March 2011.
Fall 2010
On November 4, 2009, a Site-wide Feasibility Study (FS) was submitted to USEPA. This document was reviewed by the USEPA Region 2, the USEPA National Remedy Review Board, NJDEP, and CRISIS, the community group providing technical oversight on behalf of local residents. Based upon their comments, USEPA issued a letter to Pfizer on October 18, 2010 requesting revisions to the Site-Wide FS and proposed Site-wide Remedy. Pfizer and its consultants will address these comments and submit a revised Site-wide FS and proposed Site-wide Remedy in December 2010.