Alerto de Cangrejos de Tenazas Azules en la Region de la Bahia de Newark

Exposure to low levels of some contaminants in the environment may have long lasting health effects on people. Mercury, PCBs and dioxins are among the major contaminants found in some New Jersey fish in portions of the state. These contaminants can be especially harmful to women of childbearing age, pregnant women and nursing mothers. Children are also at risk of developmental and neurological problems if exposed to these chemicals..

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) provide advice on consuming those species of fish in which high levels of dioxin, PCBs and mercury have been found.

Click here for the NJDHSS Woman's Guide to Eating Fish and Seafood.

 Lyndhurst Recreational Fields Sampling Results [March 2012]:

As part of a study of the Lower Passaic River being conducted by the Cooperating Parties Group, under EPA oversight, a detailed characterization of a mudflat adjacent to Riverside County Park in Lyndhurst found relatively high concentrations of dioxins/furans, PCBs, mercury and other contaminants. EPA collected samples of surface soil from Riverside Park at the end of January 2012 to look into whether dioxins, PCBs and mercury may have been carried into the park by periodic flooding. The results show that the measured concentrations of dioxins, PCBs and mercury present in soil are well below levels of concern. Based on its analysis, EPA does not plan on further sampling of the park's recreational areas and deems that cleanup actions on soil in the park are not warranted in this instance. The sampling report is posted on the Agency’s Diamond Alkali web site at http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/diamondalkali/ (click on "Additional Documents").

 Restoration Opportunities Identified for the Lower 8 Miles and Tributaries of the Lower Passaic River: Now Available for Review

The US Army Corps of Engineers is preparing a Focused Ecosystem Restoration Plan (FERP) for the Lower 8 Miles of the Passaic River and Tributaries as a companion to the USEPA Focused Feasibility Study outlining potential remedial action alternatives for the Lower 8 Miles. Click here to download a copy of the restoration opportunities that have been identified to date which include existing data about the site, a proposed conceptual restoration plan and the Target Ecosystem Characteristics (TECs) that can be implemented within the footprint. The TECs that could be advanced at each site will advance the overall goals and targets outlined in the Hudson Raritan Estuary Comprehensive Restoration Plan. If you have comments, input to existing opportunities and/or new opportunities, please contact Lisa Baron at lisa.a.baron@usace.army.mil

Lower Passaic River Flood Mud Sampling Results Released [November 2011]:

Flooding of athletic fields along the Passaic River following Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee prompted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to collect samples of soil and sediment in late September at four locations in North Arlington and Lyndhurst, New Jersey. EPA proactively undertook an assessment to determine potential health impacts at these sites. Soil samples were collected from these recreational fields to screen for the presence of dioxins, furans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Sampling was done out of an abundance of caution in connection with the on-going study of contaminated sediments in the Lower Passaic River. The results show that the measured concentrations of dioxins and PCBs in soil are below levels of concern. Fact sheet and the final report are available at http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/diamondalkali/ (click on "Additional Documents").

The Lower Passaic River is a 17-mile tidal stretch from Dundee Dam to the river mouth at Newark Bay. The river has a long history of industrialization, which has resulted in degraded water quality, sediment contamination, loss of wetlands and abandoned or underutilized properties along the shore.

A group of Partner Agencies (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and New Jersey Department of Transportation) is working together to clean up and restore the Lower Passaic River. The agencies are bringing together the authorities of the Superfund Program, the Water Resources Development Act, the Clean Water Act and other laws to improve the health of the river.