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A plume of ammonium sulfate that is the result of a former Rohm and Haas dumping site is slowly moving toward the Delaware River, and causing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to work on a plan to monitor the site.
The plume of ammonium sulfate, an inorganic salt often used in commercial processes, is deep in the ground and close to the bedrock at the site that sits between Veterans Highway (Route 413) and River Road in Bristol Township. The plume is about 50 acres and a more diluted plume is spread out over 200 acres on the 700-acre property currently owned by Dow Chemical, according to EPA Project Manager Maureen Essenthier.
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The inorganic salt was dumped on the portion of the chemical facility site as part of a legal dump operated by Rohm and Haas in the 1950s and 1960s.
The concern with the ammonium sulfates is not as much for nearby residents as it does about protecting the Delaware River, which provides drinking water for millions of people. According to Essenthier, a large amount of ammonium sulfates leaching into the river could cause problems for aquatic life.
Essenthier said the ammonium sulfate plume is not toxic to human’s unless ingested in a large amount.
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“I don’t think it’s likely there will be impact to the river, but as I said, we’ve been looking at this for a very long time and we need a plan,” Essenthier said.
The “dense” plume has naturally remediated itself by 90 percent since 1970 and continues to do so. In addition, monitoring wells have been placed around the plume to track movement.
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Essenthier explained that the EPA will formalize a plan with options to reduce the plume if gets close to entering the river water.
While the plume appears to be stable, the EPA will continue to monitor the plume and track its movement.
