EPA Ridgewood Site to be added as a Radioactive Site in Queens. Adding to the Federal Superfund List
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed adding a radioactive site in Ridgewood, Queens to the federal Superfund list, aiming to tackle long-standing contamination that threatens community health and safety.
The site, located at 1127–1129 Irving Avenue, once housed a facility where radium-based luminous paint was used. Decades later, radiation still lingers in the soil and structure—posing a risk to nearby homes and businesses.
The Hidden Danger Beneath Ridgewood
Long ago, the site was home to firms that used radium paint to make watch dials and instruments glow in the dark. These paints were popular before the dangers of radiation were fully understood. Workers often handled radium with little protection.
Although operations ceased in the 1950s, the damage remained. Investigations revealed dangerously high radiation levels, with contamination in soil, building materials, and possibly groundwater.
Today, the site sits among homes, schools, and small businesses—quietly leaking radiation into the environment.
What Is the Superfund List?
The Superfund program, officially called the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), gives the EPA authority to clean up the nation’s most contaminated sites. Once added to the National Priorities List, a site qualifies for federal funding and long-term remediation efforts.
The goal? Remove toxic threats to protect public health, drinking water, and the environment.
Adding Ridgewood’s radioactive site to this list would bring resources, expertise, and oversight to a problem that has festered for decades.
Why Now?
The EPA’s renewed attention to the Ridgewood site followed concerns raised by local officials, residents, and environmental groups. With population density rising and development pressures increasing, community members pushed for action.
According to the EPA, testing confirmed radiation levels above safety thresholds. The contamination is not just historical—it’s still active and hazardous today.
This prompted the agency to begin the process of listing the site under Superfund, allowing for comprehensive cleanup, public engagement, and possible relocation of residents or businesses if necessary.
Health Risks: What’s at Stake
Prolonged exposure to low-level radiation can lead to serious health issues, including cancer, organ damage, and developmental problems. In addition, children and those who are pregnant can develop the worst health issues from prolonged exposure to radiation.
In Ridgewood, the EPA found radon gas seeping from the ground, along with radium in the soil. These substances can enter homes, accumulate in indoor air, or contaminate local groundwater.
Simply put: this isn’t a distant or invisible threat. It’s a clear and present danger to people living nearby.
Community Voices: Demanding Action for the EPA Ridgewood Site
Many Ridgewood residents support the EPA’s move, but some are asking why it took so long. Local leaders argue that decades of inaction put people at unnecessary risk. They say this cleanup is overdue and urgent.
“We need transparency and accountability,” one local advocate said. “This isn’t just a toxic site—it’s in our neighborhood, near our kids and schools. We can’t wait any longer.”
EPA Ridgewood Site: What Happens Next?
If approved, the site will be formally listed on the National Priorities List, making it eligible for Superfund cleanup. The process includes:
- Public comment periods
- Site studies and health assessments
- Cleanup planning and community involvement
- Long-term remediation and monitoring
The EPA may also seek out potentially responsible parties to help fund the cleanup—though many original polluters may no longer exist.
A Step in the Right Direction
This proposal marks a critical moment for Ridgewood and similar urban neighborhoods with hidden environmental hazards. It’s a reminder that industrial pollution doesn’t disappear—it just gets buried until someone digs deeper.
With federal action finally on the table, the Ridgewood community could soon get the attention—and protection—it deserves.
To see the Federal Register notice and supporting documents for this site, as well as other proposed and final sites, on the day of publication, click here. http://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/current.htm.
