News Release

TRENTON -- The New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services has released for public comment a public health assessment on the United States Avenue Burn site and the Route 561 Dump site in Gibbsboro, Camden County. The public may submit written comments on the assessment through July 19, 2000.

A health assessment describes site contamination and evaluates whether people have been exposed or are being exposed to contamination at levels that could be harmful to health.

Although contaminants exist on both sites at levels of public health concern, the assessment concludes that both sites currently represent no public health hazard. This is because access to the sites is restricted, through the use of fencing and other security measures, and it is unlikely people are in contact with site contaminants. In addition, contaminated soils in several areas have either been removed or have been covered and stabilized.

However, the United States Avenue Burn site was a public health hazard in the past because children may have been exposed to lead through ingestion of soil at levels of public health concern, the assessment concludes.

The department recommends that residents living near either site be informed about the potential hazards, and recommends that private wells in both areas be identified and tested for site-related contamination.

The Route 561 Dump site, which is located near the intersection of Gibbsboro-Milford Road, was reported to have been used in the past as an area to dump paint wastes and paint sludges. The United States Avenue Burn site is located just south of the center of Gibbsboro. Paint waste, sludge and other materials were dumped and burned at the site. Arsenic, lead and cadmium from paint were found in the soil around the areas where paint was dumped or burned. Metals were also found in the sediment from two on-site creeks, the Haney Run and the White Sand Branch.

The public is invited to submit written comments on the health assessment through July 19, 2000, to: Health Assessment Project Manager, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Consumer and Environmental Health Services, PO Box 360, Trenton, NJ 08625-0360.

Copies of the document are available for public review at the Camden County Health Department and the Gibbsboro Public Library. Copies of the health assessment may be obtained by calling the department at (609) 633-2043.