# Sherwin-Williams Cleanup Plan for Contaminated Soil

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/06/sherwin-williams-cleanup-plan-for-contaminated-soil/
- Published: 2015-06-02T00:35:18-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## **EPA Proposes Plan to Remove Pollutants from Former Sherwin-Williams Plant in Gibbsboro, New Jersey**

### **$14 Million Cleanup to Address Lead, Arsenic and Volatile Organic Compounds**

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposes a plan. It aims to clean up contaminated
soil from residential properties at the Sherwin-Williams/Hilliards Creek Superfund
site. This site includes a former paint manufacturing plant and the waters of Hilliards
Creek. These waters flow into Kirkwood Lake. Soil and groundwater beneath the former
plant contain lead, arsenic, and volatile organic compounds. Additionally, sediment
in and near Hilliards Creek shows contamination with lead and arsenic.

![Construction workers in safety gear operate machinery on the Sherman-Williams 
lead waste site being excavated, with residential homes visible in the background.](
https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/image-17.png?resize
=400%2C300&ssl=1)

Workers conducting a soil cleanup at the Sherwin-Williams Superfund site in Gibbsboro,
New Jersey, addressing contamination issues.

## Exposure

Lead exposure poses serious, long-term [health risks for both adults and children](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/01/epa-to-ban-pesticide-sulfuryl-fluoride-cites-concerns-to-children%e2%80%99s-health/).
It affects their physical and mental well-being. In children, even low levels of
lead cause significant I.Q. deficiencies. Consequently, these deficiencies hinder
academic performance and limit future opportunities. Additionally, lead exposure
leads to reading and learning disabilities. As a result, children face challenges
throughout their educational journey. Moreover, it can impair hearing, affecting
social interactions and communication skills. These issues also reduce attention
spans and increase hyperactivity. Thus, children experience various behavioral problems
that disrupt daily life and family dynamics. In adults, lead exposure raises the
risks of hypertension, kidney damage, and reproductive issues.

Particularly in pregnant individuals, lead exposure poses a severe risk. It can 
indeed harm developing fetuses, potentially leading to complications such as low
birth weight or developmental delays. Beyond lead, other toxic substances like arsenic
and volatile organic compounds can significantly damage people’s health. These substances
disrupt environmental integrity, highlighting the importance of addressing these
hazards for the well-being of future generations.

### Remediation Plan

EPA proposes to remediate contaminated soil at about 33 residential properties in
Gibbsboro and Voorhees. They will dig up the soil and dispose of it at licensed 
facilities. After excavation, they will backfill these areas with clean soil. If
appropriate, they will then replant vegetation. The aim is to restore these areas.
The agency has shared data from residential soil sampling at 55 properties with 
the owners. Some additional properties may also need cleanup. Under the proposed
plan, EPA will determine how many properties need soil remediation. They will do
this after more sampling during the project’s design phase. Furthermore, the EPA
will coordinate with property owners or occupants to minimize disruption. They will
also [monitor the air quality](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/10/air-quality-monitor-understanding-dangers-how-to-use-it/)
near the work areas.

> “Lead is a toxic metal that can cause damage to a child’s ability to learn and
> a range of other health problems,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck.“
> It is imperative that the contamination on residential properties is addressed
> to protect people’s health.”
> 
> ### Sherwin-Williams/Hilliard’s Creek Site
> 

_The Sherwin-Williams/Hilliard’s Creek site along with the Route 561 Dump site and
the United States Avenue Burn Superfund site, located in Gibbsboro, are sources 
of contaminated soil and sediment. These contaminants have spread onto a number 
of residential properties within Gibbsboro and Voorhees. Paint manufacturing and
related activities at the sites resulted in widespread contamination of soil, sediment,
and groundwater. High levels of various contaminants including lead, arsenic, and
volatile organic compounds are present. Hilliards Creek, Kirkwood Lake, the Gibbsboro
Nature Preserve, and residential areas have been impacted and require a cleanup._

### Sherwin-Williams

_Under previous regulatory orders by the New Jersey Department of Environmental 
Protection and the EPA, Sherwin-Williams has [removed 8,096 cubic yards](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/11/hudson-river-dredging-removes-over-1-3-million-cubic-yards/)
of sludge from a former lagoon area. The company removed 44,785 gallons of liquid
waste. They installed a soil vapor extraction treatment system to reduce the volatile
organic compounds in the soil [near two former plant](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/03/sunpower-partners-with-innogy-and-belectric-on-australias-largest-solar-power-plant-near-balranald-new-south-wales/)
buildings. They also installed fencing to limit access to some source areas and 
took other steps to address the pollution._

_The EPA oversaw an in-depth investigation of the extent of the contamination to
determine how best to clean it up over the long term. The proposed soil cleanup 
on residential properties announced today builds upon the previous work. It precedes
additional cleanup action that will be developed in the future as part of the comprehensive
cleanup._

The Superfund program operates on the principle that polluters should pay for the
cleanups, rather than passing the costs to taxpayers. This ensures that those responsible
for environmental degradation contribute to its restoration.

### EPA Orders to Sherwin-Williams

To achieve this goal, the EPA actively searches for parties legally responsible 
for contamination at [sites on the Superfund](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/02/superfund-site-jersey-settlement-boosts-cleanup-efforts/)
list. It conducts thorough investigations and legal processes. The [EPA holds those parties accountable](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/02/epa-safety-measures-holding-pretium-packaging-accountable/)
for cleanup costs. This process includes evaluations and monitoring. These steps
[ensure the safety](https://greenlivingguy.com/2008/05/helmet-law-for-electric-bike-riders-ensuring-safety-on-the-roads/)
of affected communities. Importantly, the EPA anticipates an efficient $14 million
[soil cleanup](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/12/soon-to-be-head-epa-scott-pruitt-statement/)
of residential properties impacted by the Sherwin-Williams/Hilliards Creek site,
the Route 561 Dump site, and the United States Avenue Burn site. Additionally, any
responsible party will fund this cleanup.

This process is critical, as it not only aims to [restore the local](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/01/local-restoration-save-money-and-reduce-waste/)
environment but also to protect the health and well-being of residents living in
proximity to these contaminated sites. This cleanup endeavor will be executed with
rigorous oversight by the EPA. This ensures that all actions taken meet federal 
standards and regulations, ultimately fostering accountability and transparency 
in the remediation efforts.

_To view the proposed plan for the Sherwin-Williams/Hilliards Creek Superfund site,
please visit: [http://www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/sherwin/.](https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/cursites/csitinfo.cfm?id=0200516)_

_Follow the EPA Region 2 on Twitter at [http://twitter.com/eparegion2](https://mobile.twitter.com/eparegion2)
and visit our Facebook page, [http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2.](https://www.facebook.com/eparegion2.)_