Cornell Dubilier Electronics
South Plainfield, New Jersey

Site Description

During its years of operation at the site (1936 to 1962), Cornell Dubilier Electronics, Inc. manufactured electronic parts and components, including capacitors. It is reported that transformer oils were tested for an unknown period of time during plant operations. During their operations, Cornell Dubilier Electronics, Inc. likely dumped polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated materials and other hazardous substances directly onto site soils. The site is currently known as Hamilton Industrial Park and is occupied by an estimated 15 commercial businesses. Through the years, numerous companies have operated at the site as tenants. An investigation conducted by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection in the vicinity of Hamilton Boulevard during the period of 1988-1991 revealed significant ground water contamination consisting of mainly trichloroethene and tetrachloroethene. Due to widespread contamination, all residential wells in the area were reportedly closed and residences were hooked up to a water main providing potable water from another location.

Current Site Status and Cleanup Actions to Date

• In 1997, the property owner implemented an interim cleanup to limit access to the areas of known PCB contamination, limit the surface water run-off of contaminants to Bound Brook, and pave the parking surfaces and driveways.
• In 1998, EPA cleaned the interiors of nearby homes contaminated with PCB dust from the site.
• A subsequent action cleaned up the contaminated soil around 18 nearby residential properties.
• The Remedial Design for building demolition and soil remediation at the industrial park is currently underway.
• EPA is currently studying the full nature and extent of ground water and sediment contamination at Bound Brook.

Current Funding Status

• To date, EPA has obligated approximately $6.6 million for the site.
• In September 2006, EPA allocated an additional $5.8 million to the site for new construction work associated with on-site building demolition.

For more information on the projects at this site, please read the Cornell Dubilier Electronics Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 5 K) on the Region 2 Superfund Web site.