Kiera Jefferson
Toms River, New Jersey, has a long history of pollution, particularly due to the former Ciba-Geigy chemical plant that poisoned the ground and water in the area. The plant, which was the town's largest employer, flushed chemicals into the Toms River and the Atlantic Ocean, and buried 47,000 drums of toxic waste in the ground. This pollution led to a significant increase in childhood cancer cases in the 1980s and 1990s, with a particular rise in leukemia among girls. While cleanup efforts have been ongoing since the 1990s, the site remains one of the nation's most toxic waste sites, and it will likely take decades to fully restore the area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Toxic waste site | Former Toms River Chemical Plant |
| Chemical plant owner | Ciba-Geigy Chemical Corp. |
| Pollution | Chemical pollutants in private wells and the public drinking water system |
| Health impact | Elevated levels of childhood cancers and leukemia in girls |
| Settlement | Between New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and BASF |
| Cleanup efforts | Groundwater clean-up began in 1996; nearly 1 million gallons of polluted water pumped and treated daily |
| Current status | Polluted water remains and will take decades to clean; no end in sight |
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What You'll Learn
Toms River, NJ, has a history of toxic chemical waste
Toms River, New Jersey, has a long history of toxic chemical waste, which has had devastating consequences for the town and its residents. The Toms River Chemical Corporation, later known as Ciba-Geigy Chemical Corp, was responsible for polluting the local river and groundwater with toxic chemicals and waste.
Starting in the 1950s, the company flushed chemicals into the Toms River and the Atlantic Ocean and buried 47,000 drums of toxic waste in the ground. This created a plume of polluted water that spread beyond the site, contaminating the drinking water supply and residential areas. The chemical waste included byproducts of industrial dye and resin-making operations, such as trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene, which are known human carcinogens.
The pollution resulted in a significant increase in childhood cancer cases in Toms River, particularly among girls, with 87 children diagnosed with cancer from 1979 to 1995. The contamination was so severe that in 1983, the property was listed as a Superfund site, making it eligible for federally supervised cleanup efforts. The company paid millions in settlements to affected families and has been working on remediation efforts since.
Despite these efforts, the cleanup process has been challenging, and it is estimated that it will take decades to fully restore the site. The contaminated plume of water remains beneath parts of Toms River, and while it has reduced in size, it still flows underneath nearby neighbourhoods. The settlement reached between the state and the company's successor, BASF, has been criticised by residents and environmental groups as inadequate, and there are concerns that environmental protections are being eroded.
The story of Toms River serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that toxic chemical waste can have on communities and the environment, and the long and challenging road to recovery and restoration.
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The pollution has led to elevated levels of childhood cancer
Toms River, New Jersey, has a long history of pollution. The Toms River Chemical Corporation, and later the Ciba-Geigy Chemical Corporation, flushed chemicals and toxic waste into the river and the Atlantic Ocean, contaminating the water supply. This pollution has had devastating consequences for the town, with elevated levels of childhood cancer reported.
In the 1960s, the Toms River was so polluted that about one-sixth of the flow under the Route 37 bridge was wastewater from the Toms River Chemical Corporation. The water was tinted and frothy, with a strange dark-brown fungus clinging to its banks. Despite complaints from fishermen and residents about the smell and taste of the water, the company did little to address the issue.
The pollution was not just limited to the river but also affected the groundwater. Starting in the 1950s, the Ciba-Geigy Chemical Corporation, and later BASF, buried 47,000 drums of toxic waste in the ground, creating a plume of polluted water that spread into residential areas. This contaminated groundwater made its way into the public drinking water supply, exposing residents to harmful chemicals.
The impact of this pollution on the health of Toms River residents, especially children, has been devastating. A state health department report found 87 cases of pediatric cancer in Toms River between 1979 and 1995. Studies have shown that the rates of childhood cancers and leukemia in girls in Toms River were significantly elevated compared to state rates. The pollution has been linked to a cancer cluster among children, with one resident recalling attending the funerals of more than 150 children who succumbed to cancer.
The former Ciba-Geigy chemical plant site is now owned by BASF, which has been working on remediation efforts. Groundwater clean-up began in 1996, and nearly 1 million gallons of polluted water are pumped up and treated daily. However, the clean-up process is slow, and it is estimated that it will take decades to fully restore the site. Residents and environmental groups have criticized the settlement with BASF as inadequate, arguing that it does not properly address the environmental and health impacts of the pollution.
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The water supply in Toms River was contaminated
The water supply in Toms River, New Jersey, was contaminated by toxic waste from the former Ciba-Geigy chemical plant, now owned by BASF Corp. The contamination resulted in a significant increase in childhood cancer cases in the 1980s and 1990s, with 87 children diagnosed with cancer between 1979 and 1995. The state health department found elevated rates of childhood cancers and leukemia in girls compared to state rates.
The chemical plant had been flushing chemicals and discharging hazardous substances into the Toms River and the Atlantic Ocean, as well as burying 47,000 drums of toxic waste in the ground. This created a plume of polluted water that spread beyond the site, contaminating the groundwater and public drinking water supply. The contamination was first noticed in 1965 when the river was tinted and frothy, with a dark-brown fungus clinging to its banks and an obnoxious stench.
Groundwater cleanup efforts began in 1996, and nearly 1 million gallons of polluted water are pumped up and treated daily. However, the cleanup process is slow, and it is estimated that it will take decades to fully remediate the site. The contaminated plume has shrunk in size but still flows underneath residential areas, and officials cannot give an estimate for when the cleanup will be completed.
The site was added to the federal Superfund cleanup list, and BASF has been working with the EPA on remediation efforts. A settlement was reached between the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and BASF, which includes preservation and environmental projects. However, the township and residents have criticized the settlement as inadequate, arguing for monetary compensation and more comprehensive restoration plans.
The water contamination in Toms River highlights the devastating impact of toxic waste on the environment and public health. The cleanup and restoration efforts are ongoing, but the legacy of pollution continues to affect the community, with fears of a return to the "toxic town" reputation it once held.
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The former Ciba-Geigy chemical plant is responsible for the pollution
The former Ciba-Geigy chemical plant in Toms River, New Jersey, is responsible for significant pollution in the area. The plant, which was the town's largest employer, operated from 1952 until 1990, manufacturing industrial dyes, pigments, epoxy resins, and plastics. During this period, the company engaged in environmentally destructive practices, flushing chemicals into the Toms River and the Atlantic Ocean and burying thousands of drums of toxic waste in the ground.
The consequences of these actions were severe. A vast plume of chemically contaminated groundwater formed beneath the site, spreading beyond the plant into residential areas. The pollution extended to the river itself, creating a plume of polluted water. The impact on the community was profound, with elevated rates of childhood cancer in Toms River during the late 1970s through the 1990s.
In 1982, the property was added to the federal Superfund registry, a list of the nation's most toxic waste sites. This action transferred oversight of the cleanup effort to the EPA. Since then, efforts have been made to remediate the pollution, including pumping and treating contaminated groundwater. Despite these efforts, the cleanup process has been lengthy and challenging. As of 2020, it was reported that only half of the pollution had been addressed, and the site remained one of the most contaminated in the country.
The former Ciba-Geigy chemical plant's actions had a lasting impact on the environment and the community of Toms River. The pollution they caused led to a cluster of childhood cancers and left a legacy of distrust among residents towards both the company and the government. The cleanup and restoration process has been ongoing for decades, and the site's future remains a subject of contention, with residents advocating for a thorough remediation that prioritizes the health and safety of the community.
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There are ongoing efforts to clean up and restore the site
The former Ciba-Geigy chemical plant in Toms River, New Jersey, is responsible for poisoning the ground and water in the area, leading to a significant rise in childhood cancer cases in the 1980s and 1990s. The site was added to the federal Superfund cleanup list, and while some progress has been made, the cleanup is still ongoing.
The current owner of the site, German-based BASF Corp., has been working with the EPA on groundwater cleanup since acquiring Ciba more than a dozen years ago. Nearly 1 million gallons of polluted water are pumped up every day, treated, and discharged after being cleaned. Despite these efforts, a plume of contaminated water remains beneath the ground in Toms River and will take decades to clean.
Under a proposed settlement with New Jersey environmental regulators, BASF has agreed to carry out nine environmental projects, including ecological restoration and the creation of recreational spaces. These projects aim to restore wetlands and grassy areas, create walking trails and boardwalks, preserve woodlands, and develop an environmental education center.
However, the settlement has faced criticism from Toms River residents and environmental groups who argue that it is inadequate and does not provide monetary compensation to those affected by the pollution. Despite the ongoing cleanup efforts, it is important to acknowledge that the restoration of the site is a complex and lengthy process, and it may take years before the area is fully remediated.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Toms River has a long history of pollution, with chemical waste being dumped into the river and toxic chemicals being buried in the ground.
The Toms River Chemical Corporation, and later Ciba-Geigy Chemical Corp., have been identified as the primary sources of pollution in Toms River, with the former being responsible for dumping toxic waste into the river and the latter flushing chemicals into the river and burying toxic waste in the ground.
The pollution in Toms River has had devastating effects on the health of the town's residents, particularly an elevated incidence of childhood cancer, especially leukemia in girls. The pollution has also contaminated the water in the river and the groundwater.
Efforts to address the pollution in Toms River have been ongoing for decades, including clean-up initiatives and legal settlements. The site was added to the federal Superfund cleanup list, and the current owner, BASF Corp., has been working on remediation efforts and has agreed to preserve and restore parts of the land. However, some residents and environmental groups have criticized these efforts as inadequate and have sued to block or change the settlements.
