Contaminated waste from Raymark Industries, Inc.was used as land-fill in many areas of Stratford, Connecticut, during the 1950s and 1960s. Raymark, an auto parts manufacturer, closed in 1989. In the 1990s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) put the Raymark site on its Superfund list. The EPA tested hundreds of properties for Raymark waste and cleaned up most of the properties where it was found.
In some cases, Raymark waste was left underground because removing it would have endangered building foundations or utility lines. Another group of properties is still being studied to determine the best clean-up strategies.
Challenges
Bring federal state and local agencies tgether to assist the local health director.
Provide effective communication with Stratford's town government, residents and businesses regarding the Superfund cleanup.
Create a way for Stratford's town government to keep track of properties where Raymark waste was left underground.
Open communication channels between community groups and the EPA.
Solutions
HRC provided customized team of experts including a community outreach specialist, health risk assesor, licensed environmental professional, a health and science writer and a toxicologist. HRC continues to help the Health Director
Review and comment on Raymark investigations and clean-up reports.
Developing outreach materials.
Assist community groups working with the EPA.
To help town officials keep long-term track of Raymark waste left underground, HRC created a web-based, electronic database of all properties tested by the EPA. The database includes copies of test results and reports on clean-up measures and highlights digging restrictions where Raymark waste was left underground.
For more detailed information about the Raymark project, go to the Stratford Health Department's website.
BP Paulsboro Terminal
For 70 years, the 130-acre Paulsboro Terminal in southern New Jersey served as a storage and distribution center for refined petroleum and specialty chemicals. This heavy industrial use resulted in pollution that the site's current owner is now cleaning up.
Challenge
Keep residents, municipal officials, and potential site developers informed of cleanup activities.
Publicize development opportunities.
Solution
HRC produces a quarterly newsletter, Paulsboro Pipeline, and maintains a website, www.bpaulsboronj.com. These tools tell the community about site activities, clean-up technologies, and progress toward redevelopment of the site. Copies of the newsletter are available on the website.
