OSWER/OSRTI

Washington, DC 20460

NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST (NPL) 

***Proposed Site*** December 2013 

TROY CHEM CORP INC Newark, New Jersey

Essex County

 Site Location:

The Troy Chem Corp Inc site is located in an industrial area of Newark, New Jersey. Pierson’s Creek, which currently 

originates just south of the Troy facility, discharges to Newark Bay, approximately 1.5 miles downstream of the Troy 

facility.

 Site History:

Troy Chem Corp Inc has manufactured chemicals since 1956. Prior to that, the facility had been occupied by industrial 

operators since the late 1800s. Troy Chemical is currently active and is engaged in the manufacture of antimicrobial 

and antifungal paint additives and related products. Troy manufactured mercury compounds at the facility from 1957 

until 1987. According to historical records from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), 

prior to 1965, Troy discharged approximately 7,000 gallons per week of untreated mercury-bearing wastewater to 

Pierson’s Creek along with other process wastewaters. From 1965 to 1976, the mercury wastewater was treated on-site 

with sulfide precipitation prior to discharge to the creek. In 1976, an on-site wastewater treatment plant was installed 

that discharges to the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission. There were additional releases containing mercury to 

Pierson’s Creek in the 1970s and 1980s. 

In addition to the discharge of mercury-contaminated wastewater, there is a history of spills and discharges to the 

ground surface characterized by puddles of chemicals on the ground; mercury droplets on the ground and in runoff 

reaching Pierson’s Creek; holes and cracks in containment dikes; thousands of drums of chemical waste, many of 

which were leaking, and inoperable containment basin pump floats. 

 Site Contamination/Contaminants:

The primary contaminant of concern is mercury, which Troy discharged directly to Pierson’s Creek. In addition to 

mercury, creek sediments contain elevated levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, nickel, volatile organic 

compounds (VOCs), pesticides, PAHs, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). 

 Potential Impacts on Surrounding Community/Environment: 

Contamination is affecting the wetlands along Pierson’s Creek. Newark Bay is part of the New York-New Jersey 

Harbor Estuary, a sensitive area identified under the National Estuary Program. Despite advisories and restrictions, 

people in the area continue to eat fish caught in the NY-NJ Harbor Estuary, including Newark Bay. The historical and 

on-going mercury contamination is likely at least partially attributable to sediment discharges from Pierson’s Creek. 

 Response Activities (to date):

The Troy Chemical property and Pierson’s Creek have been the focus of numerous investigations since the 1970s, but 

interim remedial actions to date have not addressed mercury contamination downstream of the Troy facility. 

 Need for NPL Listing:

Other federal and state cleanup programs were evaluated, but are not viable at this time. The EPA received a letter of 

support for placing this site on the NPL from the state of New Jersey. 

[The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was evaluated with the HRS. The description may 

change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination. See 56 FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent 

FR notices.]

For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to 

these substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxFAQs can be found on 

the Internet at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/index.asp or by telephone at 1-888-42-ATSDR or 1-888-422-8737.