Cost So Far
$86.7M
Money already spent on the evaluation and cleanup of hazardous sites.
Expected Additional Cost
$11.2M
The estimated amount of money needed for evaluation and cleanup of hazardous sites at this installation.
Expected Completion Date
2028
The date by which the DOD estimates cleanup of all sites will be complete. Long term monitoring may continue after this date.
The former Raritan Arsenal occupies approximately 3,500 acres and is bounded by Woodbridge Avenue and the Raritan River between Mill Road and Clearview Avenue in Edison, New Jersey. It is about 20 miles southwest of New York, New York. Based on... see more » The former Raritan Arsenal occupies approximately 3,500 acres and is bounded by Woodbridge Avenue and the Raritan River between Mill Road and Clearview Avenue in Edison, New Jersey. It is about 20 miles southwest of New York, New York. Based on the original FDE; A total of 3,232 acres fee, 57 acres lease, and 68 acres easements were acquired by various deeds and condemnation proceedings between 1918 and 1934 and in the early 1940s. In November 1961, the property was declared excess to the General Services Administration. In 1962, 110 acres were transferred to Edison Township. In 1964, 240 acres were transferred to Middlesex County. In 1965, 2,325 acres were transferred to a private party. With the exception of about 300 acres that are still owned by the U.S., all remaining property was transferred to other private parties. (Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) « see less
17 Hazardous Sites
Below are the locations of hazardous sites associated with this military installation, according to the DOD. A site’s contamination may affect a much larger area, including public and private lands and the water supplies beneath them.
High Risk
Medium Risk
Low Risk
Risk Not Evaluated or Not Required
Response Complete
We haven't independently confirmed the location of every site. If you notice a site placed at the incorrect location, please contact us.
Not all sites in the DOD data include location information, so there may be sites listed below that are missing from the map. The risk level of a site refers to a relative risk assessment made by the DOD to prioritize the cleanup of sites.
8 Active Sites
Sites where military cleanup actions are still ongoing. The risk level of a site refers to a relative risk assessment made by the DOD, which prioritizes the cleanup of sites that pose greatest threat to safety, human health, and the environment.
Site ID: 02HTRW
SITE WIDE (PRE-2012), INDOOR AIR AND GW
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Area
Cost
$2.79M
Cost in 2015 plus expected future cost of cleanup
Final Cleanup Action
Sep 2016
This site is under ongoing monitoring until Sep 2038
Contaminated Areas
Groundwater: High Risk
Migration pathway is evident. Direction of groundwater flow is to the Raritan River. Groundwater classification at this site is IIA.
Contaminants: Cadmium and compounds 4.0 ug/L 1,2-Dichloroethane (EDC) 16.0 ug/L 1,1-Dichloroethane 28.0 ug/L Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) 31.0 ug/L Lead 32.0 ug/L Vinyl chloride (child/adult) 38.0 ug/L Benzene 72.0 ug/L 1,2-Dichloroethylene (cis) 260.0 ug/L Arsenic 398.0 ug/L Trichloroethylene (TCE) 590.0 ug/L
Sediment (Fresh): High Risk
Contaminated sediments in local creeks and the Raritan River. Identified marine life in the Raritan River.
Contaminants: DDE 0.16 mg/kg Dieldrin 0.49 mg/kg DDD 0.62 mg/kg Aldrin 0.69 mg/kg DDT 1.3 mg/kg Heptachlor epoxide 3.6 mg/kg Nickel 163.0 mg/kg Arsenic 176.0 mg/kg Zinc 1120.0 mg/kg Lead 1150.0 mg/kg Copper 2850.0 mg/kg
Sediment (Human): High Risk
Contaminated sediments identified in local creeks and the Raritan River. Dermal contact by site maintenance employees and local college students/employees. Raritan River/estuary used for recreational fishing, shellfishing, and trapping.
Contaminants: Trichloroethylene (TCE) 0.015 mg/kg Carbon disulfide 0.052 mg/kg Toluene 0.22 mg/kg Dieldrin 0.49 mg/kg Methyl ethyl ketone (2-Butanone) 0.58 mg/kg Aldrin 0.69 mg/kg DDT 1.3 mg/kg Acetone 2.9 mg/kg Heptachlor epoxide 3.6 mg/kg Nickel (soluble salts) 163.0 mg/kg Arsenic 176.0 mg/kg Zinc 1120.0 mg/kg Lead 1150.0 mg/kg Copper and compounds 2850.0 mg/kg
Soil: High Risk
Contaminants located in surface and subsurface soils. Also, evidence of migration of contaminants into groundwater. Dermal contact by site employees and college students.
Contaminants: Carbon disulfide 0.004 mg/kg 1,1-Dichloroethane 0.006 mg/kg Heptachlor epoxide 0.007 mg/kg Toluene 0.01 mg/kg DDT 0.03 mg/kg DDD 0.03 mg/kg DDE 0.03 mg/kg Methylene chloride 0.04 mg/kg Dieldrin 0.07 mg/kg Acetone 0.09 mg/kg Benzo[a]pyrene 1.2 mg/kg Cadmium and compounds 1.3 mg/kg Benzo[k]fluoranthene 1.5 mg/kg Benzo[b]fluoranthene 1.8 mg/kg Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) 7.5 mg/kg 1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene 8.0 mg/kg Xylenes 15.0 mg/kg Methyl ethyl ketone (2-Butanone) 20.0 mg/kg Arsenic 72.8 mg/kg Lead 76.0 mg/kg 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) 3300.0 mg/kg
Surface Water (Human): High Risk
Contamination is present in surface waters in local creeks and Raritan River. Surface water runoff is into the Raritan River (downgradient location for fishing, shellfishing, and trapping). Dermal contact with contaminated surface water by site employees, fishermen, shellfishermen, and trappers.
Contaminants: Heptachlor epoxide 0.06 ug/L 1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene 0.15 ug/L 1,2-Dichloroethane (EDC) 0.3 ug/L Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene 1.0 ug/L Benzo[k]fluoranthene 1.0 ug/L Benzo[a]pyrene 1.0 ug/L Butyl benzyl phthalate 1.0 ug/L Benzo[b]fluoranthene 2.0 ug/L Chrysene 2.0 ug/L Benz[a]anthracene 2.0 ug/L Diethyl phthalate 2.0 ug/L 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) 2.8 ug/L Phenol 3.0 ug/L Dibutyl phthalate 3.0 ug/L Pyrene 4.0 ug/L Fluoranthene 5.0 ug/L 1,1-Dichloroethane 6.0 ug/L 1,1-Dichloroethylene 14.0 ug/L Cadmium and compounds 18.1 ug/L 4-Methylphenol 20.0 ug/L Trichloroethylene (TCE) 20.0 ug/L 1,1,1-Trichloroethane 39.0 ug/L Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) 61.0 ug/L Nickel (soluble salts) 244.0 ug/L Lead 487.0 ug/L Copper and compounds 817.0 ug/L Arsenic 945.0 ug/L Manganese and compounds 1730.0 ug/L Zinc 6940.0 ug/L
Surface Water (Fresh): Risk Not Evaluated
Contaminants in surface waters of local creeks and Raritan River. Surface water runoff into Raritan River. Identified receptors include fish and shellfish downstream in Raritan River.
Contaminants: Heptachlor epoxide 0.06 ug/L Butyl Benzyl Phthalate 1.0 ug/L Phenol 3.0 ug/L Di-n-butyl phthalate 3.0 ug/L Phenanthrene 3.0 ug/L Fluoranthene 5.0 ug/L Cadmium 18.1 ug/L Di-sec-octyl phthalate 61.0 ug/L Nickel 244.0 ug/L Lead 487.0 ug/L Copper 817.0 ug/L Zinc 6940.0 ug/L
Site ID: 16HTRW
UNDEVELOPED WETLANDS
Contaminated Sediments
Cost
$81K
Cost in 2015 plus expected future cost of cleanup
Final Cleanup Action
Sep 2017
Contaminated Areas
Soil: Low Risk
These are dredging spoils that have already been removed from the river and placed onshore. Dredging spoils are not covered by pavement of other barriers. Direct contact exposures are possible. Concentrations entered below are EPCs that are not necessarily maximum detected concentrations.
Contaminants: Benzo[a]pyrene 1.67 mg/kg 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) 10.9 mg/kg Arsenic 35.0 mg/kg Lead 115.0 mg/kg
Site ID: 15HTRW
EPA PROPERTY
Mixed Waste Area
Cost
$249K
Cost in 2015 plus expected future cost of cleanup
Final Cleanup Action
Sep 2017
Contaminated Areas
Soil: Low Risk
No known migration is occuring at this time. Office workers and groundskeepers, area is landscaped and paved.
Contaminants: Antimony and compounds 242.0 mg/kg Benzo[a]pyrene 370.0 mg/kg Arsenic 488.0 mg/kg Lead 9000.0 mg/kg
Site ID: 12HTRW
MIDDLESEX COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Unknown Site Type
Cost
$85K
Cost in 2015 plus expected future cost of cleanup
Final Cleanup Action
Nov 2016
Contaminated Areas
Soil: Low Risk
Limited migration potential for metals and PAHs. Site-specific risk assessment determined that this property is suitable for unrestricted land use.
Contaminants: Benzo[a]pyrene 14.0 mg/kg Arsenic 19.4 mg/kg Vanadium and compounds 37.9 mg/kg Trichloroethylene (TCE) 1500.0 mg/kg
Site ID: 14HTRW
COMMERCIAL INDUNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKSRIAL AREA
Mixed Waste Area
Cost
$177K
Cost in 2015 plus expected future cost of cleanup
Final Cleanup Action
Sep 2017
Contaminated Areas
Soil: Low Risk
No evidence that observed contaminants are migrating. Limited potential for exposure for office workers.
Contaminants: Vinyl chloride (child/adult) 0.04 mg/kg Benzo[a]pyrene 23.0 mg/kg Arsenic 150.0 mg/kg Lead 700.0 mg/kg
Site ID: 13HTRW
EDISON COUNTY PARK PROPERTY
Mixed Waste Area
Cost
$81K
Cost in 2015 plus expected future cost of cleanup
Final Cleanup Action
Sep 2017
Contaminated Areas
Soil: Low Risk
No known disposal areas although there is an area of elevated arsenic in soil. No evidence of migration. No exposure points of concern, although the area is frequently visited.
Contaminants: Benzo[a]pyrene 0.55 mg/kg Vanadium and compounds 61.0 mg/kg Arsenic 1300.0 mg/kg Aluminum 14000.0 mg/kg
Site ID: 04OEW/CWM
CWM SITE FOR AREA 5
Chemical Disposal
Cost
$234K
Cost in 2015 plus expected future cost of cleanup
Final Cleanup Action
Sep 2017
Site ID: 03OEW
BURIALS
Munitions Burial
Cost
$10.2M
Cost in 2015 plus expected future cost of cleanup
Final Cleanup Action
Sep 2028
9 Inactive Sites
Sites where military cleanup actions are complete, according to the DOD. Note that this status does not necessarily mean the site is no longer hazardous, as many of these sites are put under long-term monitoring or other restrictions.
Site ID: 08HTRW
AREA 10
Contaminated Fill
Cost
Unknown
Final Cleanup Action
Mar 2005
Contaminated Areas
Sediment (Fresh): Risk Not Evaluated
Site ID: 10HTRW
AREA 18D
Contaminated Fill
Cost
Unknown
Final Cleanup Action
Mar 2005
Contaminated Areas
Sediment (Fresh): Risk Not Evaluated
Site ID: 11PRP/HTRW
RARITAN PRP
Contaminated Ground Water
Cost
Unknown
Final Cleanup Action
Jun 2007
Site ID: 00HTRW
RARITAN ARSENAL
Contaminated Fill
Cost
Unknown
Final Cleanup Action
Sep 1994
Contaminated Areas
Sediment (Fresh): Risk Not Evaluated
Site ID: 01HTRW
RARITAN ARSENAL
Mixed Waste Area
Cost
Unknown
Final Cleanup Action
Sep 2002
Contaminated Areas
Sediment (Fresh): Risk Not Evaluated
Site ID: 05CON/HTRW
IN HOUSE (IR BRANCH)
Cost
Unknown
Final Cleanup Action
Sep 2001
Site ID: 06HTRW
AREA 4
Contaminated Fill
Cost
Unknown
Final Cleanup Action
Sep 1999
Contaminated Areas
Sediment (Fresh): Risk Not Evaluated
Site ID: 07HTRW
AREA 2 & 3
Contaminated Fill
Cost
Unknown
Final Cleanup Action
Sep 1999
Contaminated Areas
Sediment (Fresh): Risk Not Evaluated
Site ID: 09HTRW
AREA 18F
Contaminated Fill
Cost
Unknown
Final Cleanup Action
Mar 2005
Contaminated Areas
Sediment (Fresh): Risk Not Evaluated
Update (Dec. 5, 2017): We have changed the source of the installation cost data after being notified by the Department of Defense that they erroneously reported their own cost figures on the DERP website. We are now displaying the costs the department says are the most accurate available, from the Pentagon’s DERP database that we received in a FOIA request.
Note: The risk level of a site refers to a relative risk assessment made by the DOD to prioritize the cleanup of sites.
Data: All data comes from the Defense Environmental Restoration Program and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and will be released soon at the ProPublica Data Store. Read our methodology »