The New Jersey State Department Of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has developed a new and more stringent standard for removing chromium waste from contaminated soil.

In a new effort to reduce and thwart the effects of toxic substances within New Jersey soil, sites designated to be developed for housing or educational facilities may not contain more than 20 parts per million of hexavalent chromium.  The previous standard had been 240 parts per million, which is still a safe level according to the NJDEP. However, the less hexavalent chromium present the better. Hexavalent chromium, commonly found where industrial production occurs, is recognized as a human carcinogen. Long term exposure to the compound has been found to cause lung cancer.  The chromium ore waste has been a problem for New Jersey, a large industrial state, for years. The new NJDEP standard would affect 184 sites in Hudson county, once a busy area for chromium ore refineries.  As Hudson county has seen a surge of redeveloment in the recent years, the standard of 20 parts per million in new developments will surely protect the health of current and future residents and the environment. 

The new standard, however, presents hurdles for redevelopment sites and property owners trying to complete remediation.  Meeting the new standard is likely to increase remediation and redevelopment costs along with the new reduction in chromium residue, developers are also required to excavate down to 20 feet and back fill with clean soil for residential and educational developments.