Elevated levels of 1, 2 Dichloroethane (1, 2 DCE) were detected at the Frelinghuysen (NJ) Elementary School recently, resulting in the facility to provide bottled water to students, faculty, and other staff members. Based on what has been reported, quarterly testing is conducted at the school for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and a result of 10.5 parts per billion for 1, 2 DCE[1] was identified in January and subsequently reported to the NJDEP. The NJDEP limit is 2 parts per billion. Now, the source of the contamination has yet to be identified, but it is anticipated that the school district will investigate this matter further using their environmental consultant and NJDEP oversight. For those that are not familiar with the “Immediate Environmental Concern (IEC)” process (which applies here) and timeframes, it is outlined as follows:

IEC Timeframes: Potable Water

1. Call NJDEP (1-877-WARNDEP) or assigned case manager: Immediately

2. Notify impacted property owners, occupants, Township, & Health Departments of analytical results and mitigate (i.e. bottled water): Within 5 Days

3. Submit IEC Response Action Form, Spreadsheet, Data, etc.: Within 14 Days

4. Installation of Engineering System Response & Receptor Delineation: Within 60 Days

5. Submit Engineered System Response Action Report: Within 120 Days

6. Submit IEC Source Control Report: Within 1 year

(Note: The ATSD has indicated that 1,2 DCE[2] is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, and commonly used in the production of vinyl chloride which is used to make a variety of plastic and vinyl products including polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes, furniture and automobile upholstery, wall coverings, housewares, and automobile parts. It is also used to as a solvent and is added to leaded gasoline to remove lead.)

Based on first glance, it appears that the school and the NJDEP are on top of the matter, with “protection of human health, safety, and the environment” being paramount. Additionally, the school will be submitting a report on proposed remedial measures within 30 days. Stay tuned as more information is expected to be released over the next few weeks and months.

We hope that you find these posts informative, and relatively useful, and your feedback is always welcome. For further information, or for assistance on your next project, please don't hesitate to contact us at tfrancis@cardinallsrp.com, or www.cardinalLSRP.com.

[1] EPA VOC Methods include 1,2 DCE

[2] Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

1,2 Dichloroethane-March 2011

I’m not a Boy Scout, Girl Scout, Eagle Scout…or any sort of scout for that matter, but somewhere along the journey I learned how to use a compass. A skill that has served me well…professionally for nearly 20 years now when working in the field. It has been particularly useful when conducting due diligence, or completing a soil & groundwater investigation when controls are limited…but in the crowded northeast, those projects where you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere seem to be limited these days. Similarly, with so many GPS gadgets available to guide us, you’d think that unless you were a “scout” why would you need an actual compass in your toolbox. That’s old school…but timeless.

There has been more than one occasion where the only tool I had at my disposal was a beat up site plan (with barely legible “proposed” soil boring markings), and limited site controls, so for all environmental practitioners, I challenge each of you to spend a few minutes with your staff (senior & junior) and cover the basics including Determining Bearing & Heading, Triangulation, etc. Put down the GPS unit, get out that site plan, and work through it. It’s a valuable skill, and one that can be quite beneficial when honing your field judgment skills, and hopefully help to minimize your reliance on the electronics!

Stay tuned for future posts on various “field” topics in the upcoming weeks…as there are plenty of lessons and unique observations to be shared, which could ultimately make our jobs easier and each of us a little wiser.

Drinking Water Contamination and NJDEP "Immediate Environmental Concern" Protocol

Get That Compass out!