Contaminants in West Deptford Water Supply, Group Says

An environmental group has asked a federal agency to investigate the presence of industrial chemicals in the groundwater near a West Deptford manufacturer.

The Delaware Riverkeeper Network, a nonprofit based in Bristol, PA, has petitioned the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, claiming that the Solvay Specialty Polymers facility on Leonard Lane—formerly Solvay Solexis Inc.—is likely the source of elevated levels of perfluorononanoate acid (PFNA) and other perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in the surrounding area's water supply, according to a release from the Network.

The group based its petition on samples taken by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in 2009, which show many of New Jersey’s waterways contaminated by PFCs, with the highest levels in groundwater found in Paulsboro, according to the release. The data was recently released to the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, following an open records act request.

“Delaware Riverkeeper Network is sounding an alarm bell by filing this petition,” said deputy director Tracy Carluccio. “We submitted a letter to DEP on July 25 calling for immediate action on getting these chemicals out of New Jersey’s water but have had no response. Due to the urgency of this issue, we have now filed with this federal agency to try to get some action on these toxic chemicals in these communities’ groundwater.”

According to the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, the chemicals have been linked to testicular cancer, kidney cancer and other diseases.

DEP spokesman Larry Hajna said the source of the chemicals is unconfirmed, though Solvay is suspected. Consequently, DEP reached out to the plant to suggest it perform additional water testing, as well as to nearby Paulsboro. Hajna said he was unsure whether DEP also contacted West Deptford. 

"We certainly appreciate the Riverkeeper's interest, and we share their interest in water quality," he said, adding that the department is monitoring the situation. 

In a statement released to Plastics News, Solvay Specialty Polymers said it is investigating the information from the group and that it had discontinued the use of perfluorononanoate acid (PFNA) in 2010, ahead of a voluntary program to eliminate the use of the chemical.

“Solvay Specialty Polymers has been actively participating in industry initiatives concerning perfluorooctanoic acid and related chemicals for several years,” the statement said. “As a part of our commitment to the American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care initiatives, Solvay has discontinued the use of PFNA.

Carluccio emphasized that certain PFCs don’t biodegrade and said further study of the area is needed.