Middlesex Sampling Plant Vicinity Property Investigation Fact Sheet

Middlesex Sampling Plant

Vicinity Property Investigation

Fact Sheet

Issued:

February 2024

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York District is conducting environmental

investigation and survey activities related to the former Middlesex Sampling Plant (MSP) site located

at 239 Mountain Avenue in the Borough of Middlesex, Middlesex County, New Jersey. This work is

being performed under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). The MSP was

established in 1943 as part of the Manhattan Engineer District (MED) to sample, store, test, and

transfer ores containing uranium, thorium, and beryllium.

Project Background

The 9.6-acre MSP is a legacy MED and U.S.

Atomic Energy Commission facility that received

uranium, thorium, and beryllium ores from the

1940s until 1967, at which time the facility was

decontaminated to the standards in effect at the

time. However, overlooked during decontamination

were traces of radioactive materials that had been

carried off-site over the years by wind, rain, and fill

activities to nearby properties. Also, records later

revealed that in 1948, some radioactively

contaminated materials had been trucked from the

plant to the Middlesex Municipal Landfill (MML),

one-half mile away.

In the 1980s, the contaminated nearby properties

(termed MSP Vicinity Properties [VPs]) were

cleaned up, and the excavated soil was stored on

the MSP site in a specially constructed pile, known

as the Vicinity Properties (VP) pile.

A Record of Decision (ROD) was signed in 2005

specifying the criteria for the cleanup of

contaminated soils related to the MSP.

Remediation of the MSP soils was completed in

2008. USACE has conducted a review of the MSP

VPs previously identified by the U.S. Department

of Energy to ensure they meet the criteria set in the

ROD. In 2019, USACE added a new VP to the

MSP. The location of this VP suggested that a

wider area around the MSP be further investigated.

In 2021, USACE conducted an expanded aerial

survey extending 12 square miles around the MSP

Site.

Current Activities

Current evaluation of

the aerial survey

results indicates that

there is no immediate

threat to human

health or the

environment. This

spring, USACE will be

conducting follow-on

ground investigations

which will include

work crews entering

public areas to

conduct visual

observations, surface scans, and collect soil

samples. This additional data will help to further

ground truth the aerial survey results. It is

important to note that USACE further investigating

a property does not mean there is contamination.

Elevated readings do not necessarily indicate

contamination because there are many sources of

naturally occurring radiologic activity in our

environment that can cause elevated readings

above background, such as granite stone and

building materials like brick. Work conducted by

USACE will help determine whether radiological

levels are consistent with naturally occurring

radioactive material (NORM). As with the previous

USACE work at this site, this work is being

conducted in coordination with both the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the

New Jersey Department of Environmental

Protection (NJDEP).

Ground surveys will be performed

using handheld gamma detectors.

Project Fact Sheet

Middlesex Sampling Plant FUSRAP Site Vicinity Properties

Middlesex, New Jersey

Frequently Asked Questions About Current Activities

What will I see when work begins?

Project teams are visually inspecting and carrying radiation detection equipment with GPS locators

on their backs, as well as taking pictures, collecting samples, and making notes.

Why is this work happening?

In 2021, USACE conducted an expanded aerial radiological survey to identify any additional

properties potentially affected by operations at the MSP. The survey extended over 12 square miles

around MSP covering properties in and around the municipalities of Bound Brook, Bridgewater,

Dunellen, Green Brook, Middlesex, Piscataway, and Warren. The follow-on investigation activities

being conducted this spring will collect data to further evaluate the aerial survey results and

determine if any properties warrant further investigation.

How will the data be used?

It will be used in conjunction with the data collected in 2021 to identify specific properties for

additional investigation.

How will we be notified?

USACE New York District will contact the owners of any properties identified for additional

investigation and request access to their property for the purposes of additional sampling. The

specific means for notifying the larger community is under development and may include a public

meeting or series of meetings, if warranted.

How long will USACE/NAN be working?

This phase of work will be conducted in coordination with the EPA and NJDEP and will take several

months to complete the field work and data evaluation. Once this effort is complete and the number

of properties, if any, is determined for additional investigation, a more definitive schedule will be

developed and shared with the public.

Is the public safe?

Based on the data collected to date, there is no immediate risk to anyone’s health. We will continue

to take appropriate actions and keep the community informed as additional data is collected and

analyzed.

For more information, scan the QR code or enter the project website

https://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Media/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheet-Article-

View/Article/487433/fact-sheet-middlesex-sampling-plant-nj/

An information repository with project documents has been set up at the

Middlesex Public Library at 1300 Mountain Avenue in Middlesex, New Jersey.

You can also contact Kathleen Cuzzolino, USACE Project Manager, Phone: (917) 790-8330

Email: [email protected].mil