NJ Neighborhood Declared Toxic Waste Site

Superfund designation came more than a year after investigators discovered a deadly form of chromium seeping into 13 basements

Federal officials have added a neighborhood in Garfield to the nation's list of toxic waste sites.

Thursday's Superfund designation came more than a year after investigators discovered a deadly form of chromium seeping into 13 basements.

The designation allows the Environmental Protection Agency to find the party responsible for the contamination and begin the process of cleaning it up.

The area has 600 homes and businesses.

The state Environmental Protection Department has said the contamination likely came from a 1983 leak of chromic acid from a tank at E.C. Electroplating Inc.

Drinking water is not contaminated.

Garfield Mayor Frank Calandriello told The Record newspaper he hopes there's enough money to do a complete cleanup.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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