Mahwah FordMahwah Ford

By Patrick Myer

OperationOperation Built at a cost of $70 Built at a cost of $70

million. the plant was a million. the plant was a replacement for Ford’s replacement for Ford’s Edgewater facilities Edgewater facilities

At the time of its At the time of its completion in 1955, it was completion in 1955, it was the largest motor vehicle the largest motor vehicle assembly plant in the assembly plant in the United States United States

Along with other businesses Along with other businesses such as American Brake such as American Brake Shoe and Foundry Shoe and Foundry Company, Ford helped Company, Ford helped contribute to the economic contribute to the economic development of Mahwah development of Mahwah and its reputation for low and its reputation for low home property taxeshome property taxes

Produced 6 million cars and Produced 6 million cars and trucks, more than triple the trucks, more than triple the Edgewater plant Edgewater plant

Employed 5000 workers, Employed 5000 workers, making it the largest making it the largest employer in Bergen county employer in Bergen county

ClosingClosing

The 1970s oil crisis forced U.S. auto The 1970s oil crisis forced U.S. auto makers to compete against the smaller, makers to compete against the smaller, more fuel-efficient cars from Japan.more fuel-efficient cars from Japan.

Therefore, many plants in the U.S. were Therefore, many plants in the U.S. were forced to closeforced to close

The Mahwah plant was susceptible to high The Mahwah plant was susceptible to high costs including union demands and the costs including union demands and the reputation of its vehicles to be lemonsreputation of its vehicles to be lemons

Ford closed the plant in June 1980 Ford closed the plant in June 1980

Paint SludgePaint Sludge Paint sludge is formed when Paint sludge is formed when

extra paint is sprayed on the extra paint is sprayed on the assembly line, chemicals and assembly line, chemicals and water are used to remove itwater are used to remove it

5 gallons of sludge was 5 gallons of sludge was produced for every car, with produced for every car, with 6,000 gallons coming out of 6,000 gallons coming out of the plant every daythe plant every day

It cost more to dump the It cost more to dump the sludge than it did to buy the sludge than it did to buy the paint because there were few paint because there were few designated dumping sitesdesignated dumping sites

This led Ford to dump its waste This led Ford to dump its waste in areas that were hazardous in areas that were hazardous to the publicto the public

Sludge contains many harmful Sludge contains many harmful chemicals, most of which are chemicals, most of which are carcinogenscarcinogens

A Ringwood resident holds a piece of paint sludge left over from decades ago

The ChemicalsThe Chemicals Benzene, lead, chromium, arsenic, antimony, PCBs, Benzene, lead, chromium, arsenic, antimony, PCBs,

xylenes, and ethylbenze are found in paint sludgexylenes, and ethylbenze are found in paint sludge Benzene damages bone marrow and can lead to Benzene damages bone marrow and can lead to

anemia. Irregular menstrual periods, a decrease in size anemia. Irregular menstrual periods, a decrease in size of ovaries, and leukemia are also risksof ovaries, and leukemia are also risks

Chromium increases the risks of lung cancerChromium increases the risks of lung cancer Antimony is very similar to arsenic and causes heart Antimony is very similar to arsenic and causes heart

and lung problemsand lung problems Xylenes cause liver, kidney, and fetus damageXylenes cause liver, kidney, and fetus damage Lead, even in small doses, is extremely harmful to Lead, even in small doses, is extremely harmful to

children in developmentchildren in development Xylenes and lead effect the brain , which may be the Xylenes and lead effect the brain , which may be the

reason why so many people who live around the sludge reason why so many people who live around the sludge have learning disabilitieshave learning disabilities

The Trucking CompaniesThe Trucking Companies Originally, Ford disposed of its waste right across the New York Originally, Ford disposed of its waste right across the New York

State boarder in an area known as the Meadows in HillburnState boarder in an area known as the Meadows in Hillburn But, this site quickly filled up and so Ford hired O’Connor Trucking But, this site quickly filled up and so Ford hired O’Connor Trucking

to haul the waste 10 miles to Ford owned property in Ringwood, NJto haul the waste 10 miles to Ford owned property in Ringwood, NJ When the public became concerned about the dumping in 1971, When the public became concerned about the dumping in 1971,

Ford fired O’ConnorFord fired O’Connor It then hired a trucking company owned by the MafiaIt then hired a trucking company owned by the Mafia By contracting out to third parties Ford could claim that it had no By contracting out to third parties Ford could claim that it had no

idea where the waste was being dumpedidea where the waste was being dumped The Mafia dumped throughout the New York and New Jersey area The Mafia dumped throughout the New York and New Jersey area

wherever they could find places in the woods, whether it was in wherever they could find places in the woods, whether it was in streams, in town owned landfills, or in farmers’ backyardsstreams, in town owned landfills, or in farmers’ backyards

As much as $500,000 a year in profit went to haulers who moved As much as $500,000 a year in profit went to haulers who moved the sludgethe sludge

The MeadowsThe Meadows The area was home to low income The area was home to low income

families, however they moved out families, however they moved out when the Ramapo River had to be when the Ramapo River had to be diverteddiverted

Up to 2 million gallons, or 7-9,000 Up to 2 million gallons, or 7-9,000 cubic yards, of sludge and 20 tons of cubic yards, of sludge and 20 tons of tires were dumpedtires were dumped

Sludge is 6 feet deep in some placesSludge is 6 feet deep in some places The area was never included on the The area was never included on the

Superfund list since it not currently Superfund list since it not currently inhabitedinhabited

The site still poses risks because many The site still poses risks because many people use the area for off-roading people use the area for off-roading and ATVsand ATVs

The Ramapo River, which supplies The Ramapo River, which supplies water for people downstream, at times water for people downstream, at times floods over exposed portions of paint floods over exposed portions of paint sludgesludge Also, PCBs have

tainted the fish that habit the Ramapo River

The Ringwood MinesThe Ringwood Mines The Peters’ and Canon Iron Mines date The Peters’ and Canon Iron Mines date

back to the 1700sback to the 1700s They were abandoned in the 1950s, and They were abandoned in the 1950s, and

were used before, during, and after were used before, during, and after Ford by the Borough of Ringwood as Ford by the Borough of Ringwood as dumping groundsdumping grounds

The area is ½ mile wide and 2 miles The area is ½ mile wide and 2 miles long, and includes numerous mine long, and includes numerous mine shafts, which Ford claimed to have shafts, which Ford claimed to have capped in 1965capped in 1965

On record 11,350 tons, or 16,850 yards, On record 11,350 tons, or 16,850 yards, of paint sludge was dumped hereof paint sludge was dumped here

There’s enough sludge to cover 3 There’s enough sludge to cover 3 football fields 3 feet deep, or fill 2 tubes football fields 3 feet deep, or fill 2 tubes of the Lincoln Tunnelof the Lincoln Tunnel

In 1969 alone, enough sludge was In 1969 alone, enough sludge was dumped to fill 25 Olympic swimming dumped to fill 25 Olympic swimming poolspools

The mines often caught fire and the toxic smoke could be smelled for miles

Ford also claimed no responsibility for the land since it had “gifted” most of it to the State to be used as park land

WaterWater

•Water in the area of dumping is toxic and contaminated.

The CommunityThe Community

The area of the Ringwood Mines is home to 550 people known as the The area of the Ringwood Mines is home to 550 people known as the Ramapough IndiansRamapough Indians

They are descendants of the original workers of the mines, who were They are descendants of the original workers of the mines, who were Native Americans and freed Dutch slavesNative Americans and freed Dutch slaves

They are an officially recognized tribe by the State of New Jersey, They are an officially recognized tribe by the State of New Jersey, however they are not a nationally recognized tribehowever they are not a nationally recognized tribe

They are very close-knit, due to poverty and racism, and live mostly They are very close-knit, due to poverty and racism, and live mostly off of the land through hunting and small farmsoff of the land through hunting and small farms

50 residents are directly effected by sludge contamination50 residents are directly effected by sludge contamination The community used to scavenge through the sludge looking for The community used to scavenge through the sludge looking for

copper scrap that they could sellcopper scrap that they could sell The children used to make balls out of the sludge and throw them at The children used to make balls out of the sludge and throw them at

each other, and slide down the sludge hillseach other, and slide down the sludge hills

Health effectsHealth effects

Diabetes that caused Paul Eugene VanDunk to Diabetes that caused Paul Eugene VanDunk to have his leg amputatedhave his leg amputated

Bronchitis Lead poisoning Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare bone cancer Kidney disease Cystic fibrosis Hibradenitis supurativa, a skin disease that

causes sores and rashes on the body, one man had to have surgery 17 times to drain these rashes

Government InvolvementGovernment Involvement Declared a Superfund Site in 1983Declared a Superfund Site in 1983 1987-1990 7,700 cubic yards, or 727 tons, of paint sludge and 61 drums of 1987-1990 7,700 cubic yards, or 727 tons, of paint sludge and 61 drums of

toxic waste was removed by Ford toxic waste was removed by Ford Initially only 4 small areas, none larger than a basketball court, were cleanedInitially only 4 small areas, none larger than a basketball court, were cleaned In 1994 the area was removed from the Superfund listIn 1994 the area was removed from the Superfund list Instead of having to filter ground water, which would have been costly, Ford Instead of having to filter ground water, which would have been costly, Ford

was allowed to just test the water periodicallywas allowed to just test the water periodically On December 18, 2004, the New Jersey Department of Environmental On December 18, 2004, the New Jersey Department of Environmental

Protection closed the public section of hiking trail in the 4,044 acre Ringwood Protection closed the public section of hiking trail in the 4,044 acre Ringwood State ParkState Park

In 2005, 9 more areas were designated as contaminated, and the site was In 2005, 9 more areas were designated as contaminated, and the site was put back on the Superfund listput back on the Superfund list

Since December 2004, an additional 8,600 tons of sludge and soil have been Since December 2004, an additional 8,600 tons of sludge and soil have been removed; this removal had to be temporarily stopped due to the waste being removed; this removal had to be temporarily stopped due to the waste being too toxic for even designated landfills to accepttoo toxic for even designated landfills to accept

Ford’s ResponseFord’s Response Only recently did Ford submit shipping documents to the Only recently did Ford submit shipping documents to the

EPA as to how much was dumped in RingwoodEPA as to how much was dumped in Ringwood Ford knew as early as 34 years ago that its waste had Ford knew as early as 34 years ago that its waste had

contaminated a stream that feed the Wanaque Reservoircontaminated a stream that feed the Wanaque Reservoir Up until 2005, Ford had spent around $4.5 million on Up until 2005, Ford had spent around $4.5 million on

water tests, surveys, and digswater tests, surveys, and digs In September 2005, Ford agreed to pay more than In September 2005, Ford agreed to pay more than

$226,000 in oversight costs to the EPA$226,000 in oversight costs to the EPA In 2005, Ford agreed to inspect the mines down to 90 In 2005, Ford agreed to inspect the mines down to 90

feet, where they have said to have capped them offfeet, where they have said to have capped them off The ultimate question is how Ford should treat the water The ultimate question is how Ford should treat the water

located in the mineslocated in the mines

LawsuitsLawsuits

Property damage and personal injuries Property damage and personal injuries claims filed in New Jersey State Court claims filed in New Jersey State Court citing the improper disposal of waste from citing the improper disposal of waste from the Mahwah Ford Plant the Mahwah Ford Plant

Robert Kennedy Jr. and Johnnie Cochran Robert Kennedy Jr. and Johnnie Cochran were employed to represent themwere employed to represent them

Also claims have been filed against the Also claims have been filed against the EPA for its improper clean-up of the site EPA for its improper clean-up of the site and issues of racismand issues of racism

“The Toxic Legacy”

http://toxiclegacy.northjersey.com/

Conclusion

In conclusion the Ford Plant’s closing was double sided, not only did it put many people out In conclusion the Ford Plant’s closing was double sided, not only did it put many people out of work, it led to the contamination of people’s land, water, and health. Ringwood of work, it led to the contamination of people’s land, water, and health. Ringwood Mines/Landfill Site has earned the dubious distinction of being first federal environmental Mines/Landfill Site has earned the dubious distinction of being first federal environmental Superfund site to be put back on National Priorities List for Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste.Superfund site to be put back on National Priorities List for Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste.

Abandoned Mines

BibliographyBibliography

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Stodghill, Ron. "Decades After a Plant Closes, Waste Remains." The New YorkTimes. 29 Feb. 2007.http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/29/business/yourmoney/29spill.html

Jerome, Marty. "Decades Later, Clean-Up at a Ford Plant Continues.”Autopia. 31Jan. 2007.http://blog.wired.com/cars/2007/07/decades-later-c.html

Aaron, Lawrence. "Report on Ford site: EPA dropped the ball." The BergenRecord. 3 Oct. 2007.http://www.bergenrecord.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk5JmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk3MjAyODE0

Washburn, Lindy. “Danger upstream; Watershed pollution may threaten our reserviors.”The Record. 6 October. 2005http://www.northjersey.com/toxiclegacy/