Source of lead-tainted slag washing up on Keyport shores remains a mystery
KEYPORT — State and local authorities met along the Keyport bayfront Friday afternoon, where they promised to investigate the source of lead-tainted slag contamination along the beach.
Chunks of slag, a waste product of metal smelting, were discovered along the beach near Walnut Street in recent weeks by Greg Remaud, CEO of the NY/NJ Baykeeper, a Hazlet-based environmental organization devoted to protecting the waterways around Raritan Bay, New York Harbor and Sandy Hook Bay.
Preliminary testing showed the presence of lead in the slag, although not at levels considered to be a risk to public health, said New Jersey Environmental Commissioner Shawn LaTourette. The commissioner noted that the initial testing was "crude" and more extensive testing was scheduled for the material.
The lead-contaminated slag "has no place being deposited upon our shores, or in our waters, and risking any impact to ecological and aquatic features of our environment," LaTourette said.
Environmental officials are investigating a variety of possible sources of the slag, including a nearby private landfill that operated off Walnut Street in the 1960s and 70s, a century-old seaplane manufacturing facility in Keyport, and a slag pollution site in the Laurence Harbor section of Old Bridge.
"Given what we know about lead's toxic quality and adverse health effects, especially to children, it was clear that we needed to take immediate action," said U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., who represents towns along the Raritan Bayshore before Congress.
In children, lead exposure can lead to anemia, hearing problems, lower intelligence, hyperactivity, slowed growth, as well as behavior and learning problems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In adults, it can lead to hypertension, reproductive problems and decreased kidney function, according to the agency.
Mariadonna Litwak lives at the bay end of Walnut Street and began noticing the slag in recent weeks.
"It's very odd looking. It looks almost puffy," she said.
Litwak said she was not familiar with slag until it began washing up on the beach near her home.
"What I do worry about is the fishermen that are coming down here and they're getting seafood," she said. "Has that seafood been exposed?"
LaTourette, the environmental commissioner, said no prohibitions against consuming fish have been issued because of the slag, but that could change depending on the outcomes of the next round of lead testing.
"Be assured that when your Department of Environmental Protection finds circumstances like these, we will investigate them," LaTourette said. "If we find that someone has broken the environmental laws and risks the good health of our people or communities, we will hold them responsible."
Cleanup efforts will begin along the beach in Keyport on Monday, the commissioner said. State environmental staff and contractors plan to scrape the slag off roughly 200 yards of beach northeast of Walnut Street.
Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers education and the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than 16 years. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Keyport beach cleanup planned for Monday after lead-tainted slag found
