‘Ground-truth’

Seven areas within Middlesex Borough – and another five that straddle the municipality’s border – are among two dozen designated for “evaluation” in a continuing study of potential radioactive contamination caused by the shuttered Middlesex Sampling Plant (MSP).

Inspectors visited two of the Middlesex evaluation areas last month, causing a stir when their presence was noted on social media. Those visits are followup work to a 2021 aerial survey conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) that looked for deviations from naturally occurring radioactivity levels.

“As part of our efforts to close out this project, we are taking the time to ground-truth the aerial survey results,” Kathleen Cuzzolino, an Army Corps project manager told Inside – Middlesex in a Monday, Sept. 15 email.

The aerial survey covered 12 square miles surrounding the former MSP property on Mountain Avenue. The surveyed area included parts of several communities that circle Middlesex – Piscataway, Green Brook, Bridgewater, Bound Brook and Warren.

The survey’s results “did not show any significant deviations from what is expected due to fluctuations in naturally occurring radioactivity,” according to Cuzzolino.

“We have conducted various statistical modeling and historical records research to focus our ground efforts on locations that appear slightly elevated.,” Cuzzolino added. “The USACE has the authority under our FUSRAP (Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program) to both investigate and remediate contamination if it is found to be related to the FUSRAP and remediation is warranted.”

A map showing the evaluation locales is linked to the municipal website. Along with the areas solely in Middlesex, five more lie in Piscataway, three in Dunellen and one in Green Brook. Two others straddle Middlesex and Piscataway, two more cross Middlesex into Green Brook, and another comprises pieces of Middlesex, Bound Brook and Bridgewater.

Two additional evaluation areas cross Piscataway into Dunellen. Another lies outside Middlesex, but comprises sections of Bridgewater, Warren, Green Brook and small piece of Bound Brook.

The MSP site, which operated from 1943 to 1967,  processed uranium and other materials used in atomic bomb research. The evaluation areas were determined through the aerial survey. The Army Corps is checking to ensure that contaminated fill from the MSP site was not scattered elsewhere.

It was found in the 1960s to have been transported in earlier years to the former borough landfill on Mountain Avenue. Later, it was detected adjacent to the Our Lady of Mount Virgin Church rectory on Harris Avenue and remediated.

The two Middlesex areas recently visited by inspectors lie along or near Lincoln Boulevard. Other Middlesex Borough evaluation areas – outlined in black on a federal consulting firm’s map – include locations such as Middlesex High School, the community pool, Mountain View Park and Hazelwood School. Not every property in an evaluation area is at risk for excess radioactivity.

The feds have been evaluating data from the aerial survey in the fours years since it occurred.

“The aerial data did not show any significant anomalies beyond natural fluctuations in radioactivity, which are common in the environment,” Cuzzolino wrote. “Since there were no data that stood out as immediately concerning, we’ve been working through a careful and thorough process to differentiate between the upper range of natural radioactivity and potential contamination.”

The Army Corps has already conducted ground level investigations around Middlesex High School. “Based on both the aerial survey and ground investigation data, there have been no indications of elevated radiation levels that differ from natural background radiation,” wrote Cuzzolino.

Some of the remaining 22 evaluation areas are included in a second round of site investigations, she added. “Others may or may not be investigated further, depending on the results of both the current and previous field investigations,” according to Cuzolino. “We are carefully prioritizing areas based on data gathered to date and will proceed accordingly.”

“The borough was informed of the recent visits, and we will continue to keep them updated.” Cuzzolino concluded. “We have been in communication with all municipalities involved and will ensure that they are notified of any subsequent visits as well.”

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