EPA expands clean up of lead-contaminated soil in city of Trenton
Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora says two parks are being targeted, along with private properties. The lead is from a glaze used in the manufacturing of pottery.
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The Environmental Protection Agency is expanding its cleanup of soil found to be contaminated with lead in Trenton. The lead was released decades ago during the manufacturing of pottery in the city.
Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora says two parks are being targeted, along with private properties. Sonny Vereen Park and Breunig Park have been identified as having high levels of lead in the soil.
There are signs at both parks warning anyone walking inside to play basketball, use the playground or play on the field, that the soil is contaminated and that children should not play in or eat the dirt.
“In the fall, the EPA will excavate the soil. They’ll go down two feet and remove the topsoil,” says Mayor Gusciora told News 12 New Jersey from Sonny Vereen Park. “We’re telling parents and children, ‘Be careful when they’re here.’”
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The lead is from a glaze used in the manufacturing of pottery between 1850 and 1920.
One of those manufacturing sites was identified by the EPA as being at Mulberry Street and Breunig Avenue, which is a mix of industrial and residential.
But the contaminant didn’t stay there. It traveled. The ceramics were baked in kilns. The exhaust which contained lead in it would leave the building, travel downwind and settle in the soil in neighborhoods. Ceramic waste was also often left behind in the ground.
News 12 New Jersey first reported about this contamination when lead was found at the Grant Intermediate School in Trenton. The playground and field used for recess have since been cleaned and capped. There’s brand-new turf on the field, and students are again allowed to play outside.
EPA regional administrator Lisa Garcia put out a statement saying, “The area is large and warrants a much broader investigation under EPA’s Superfund program.”
Along with public land, the mayor says the EPA will target private property.
"They took soil samples from 200 properties in the ward. The ones that have positive readings, the EPA is offering to excavate their yards,” Gusciora added.
The remediation could take several years to complete, according to the mayor.
Any Trenton homeowner who wants their soil tested should contact the EPA. Testing and excavation is free.
