Region 2 Superfund

The Jewett While Lead Company site consists of an approximately one-acre parcel of land located at 2000-2012 Richmond Terrace, in the Borough of Staten Island, Richmond County, New York. White lead, a type of lead formerly used as an ingredient for lead paint, was manufactured on the site from 1839 until 1898. National Lead Industries purchased the business and subsequently operated at the location for several decades. A major fire destroyed the plant’s main building and storage house in the 1920s. Between 1949 and 1990, various businesses operated at the location. By the late 1990s, there had been several fires at the site, which eventually led to the clearing of any remaining structures and debris in 2000. Currently, the property is fenced and is being used by the property owner to store construction materials and equipment.

EPA received a request in June 2008 to evaluate the site for a possible cleanup. The agency collected soil samples throughout the site in December 2008. Elevated levels of lead were detected throughout most of the site. Off-site samples were collected from four locations along Richmond Terrace next to the site in order to determine if contamination had migrated from the Site. Evidence of surface runoff leaving the site was apparent along Richmond Terrace near the bus stop in December 2008. Lead was detected in the off-site samples, although at lower concentrations than on the site.

EPA has determined that an immediate cleanup is needed to address the potential for soil contamination to migrate offsite due to the current use of the site.