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Unilever Bestfoods

Other (Former) Names of Site: Penick Corporation, Brodson Properties Incorporated

EPA Identification Number: NJD000692327
Facility Location: 24 Taylortown Road, Montville, New Jersey   

Link to the site map

Facility Contact: Shakalis Andrew, (201) 894-2763
EPA RCRA Contact: Sin-Kie Tjho, (212) 637-4115, tjho.sin-kie@epa.gov
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Case Manager: John Doyon, (609) 633-0713
Last Updated: October 2005
Environmental Indicator Status Human Exposures Under Control [PDF 71.02 KB, 28 pp] has been verified.
Groundwater Contamination Under Control: No status has been recorded.

Site Description

Unilever Bestfoods area is approximately 27 acres and is bisected by Taylortown Road into eastern and western sections. Crooked Brook further bisects the western portion of the site into northern and southern sections in Montville, New Jersey. Crooked Brook also runs along the southern boundary of the eastern portion of the site.

The industrial history of the site dates back to the 1880s when two textile mills were constructed there. Penick Corporation purchased the property in 1945, ceasing all textile manufacturing. From 1945 to 1978, Penick Corporation primarily manufactured pharmaceutical products. In 1978, Penick terminated all manufacturing operations, and by 1983 they had decommissioned all manufacturing equipment.

In 1983, Brodson Properties Inc. bought the property, and by 1985 they had demolished all of the structures on the property. Since 1985, the site has been dormant, with the exception of environmentally related actions. In 2002, Unilever Bestfoods became the owner of the site.

Potential Threats and Contaminants

There were leaks and spills in several areas, including former drum storage areas, former tank areas and a lagoon, which contaminated the soil and groundwater at the site. The soils are contaminated with volatile organics, pesticides, metals and semi-volatile organics. Groundwater is contaminated with benzene, toluene, phenol, and chromium.

Cleanup Approach and Progress

Brodson performed several interim measures to eliminate the sources of the soil and groundwater contamination including drum and tank removals and soil excavations. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is overseeing the site-wide investigation, which is currently underway.

The human exposure Environmental Indicator had been achieved. The groundwater Environmental Indicator had not been achieved. The facility is awaiting final approval from NJDEP of the Phase V Remedial Investigation Work Plan and the Work Plan for a Screening Level Ecological Assessment. The sampling and remedial activities proposed in these reports will help determine the current environmental status of the facility and the final remedies for the remaining soil and groundwater contamination.

Site Repository

Copies of supporting technical documents and correspondence cited in the site fact sheet are available for public review at the following location:

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Solid & Hazardous Waste
Records Center
401 E. State Street, 6th Floor
Trenton, NJ 08625
Telephone: (609) 777-3373

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) makes available its public records through formal request under the Open Public Records Act (OPRA).

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