Chromite ore processing residue in Hudson County, New Jersey

Abstract

Chromite ore processing residue occurs at over 130 sites in Hudson County, New Jersey. Many of these sites are in urban residential areas. This waste is a result of 70 years of chromate and bichromate chemical manufacturing. At least 15% of the sites contain total chromium concentrations greater than 10,000 mg/kg, with hexavalent content ranging from about 1 to 50%. Continuing leaching of this waste results in yellow-colored surface water runoff and yellow deposits on the soil surface and inside basement walls. The chemistry, environmental fate, health effects, and human exposure potentials for this waste are described.