EPA Superfund Site

MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE #1

NJ | EPA ID NJ0570024018

About this site’s exposure pathways: As of January 2025, there is insufficient information to determine the site-wide Human Exposure status at the McGuire Air Force Base (McGuire AFB) Superfund Site. Currently, the Air Force is performing seven Remedial Investigations (RIs) at 41 sites across the base, to identify the nature and extent of contamination. The media of concern are soil, groundwater, surface water, sediment and vapor intrusion. Contaminants detected in samples collected at the sites include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), inorganics, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 1,4-dioxane is also being investigated as an emerging contaminant. The potential pathways of concern are associated with incidental inhalation and dermal contact with contaminated soil and groundwater to a potential future resident, recreationalist, and/or current and future site workers. Eleven PFAS sites related to use of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) have been identified and are in the RI phase. The Air Force is currently working on a Preliminary Assessment for PFAS to identify non-AFFF sources. McGuire AFB, however, is an active federal facility, and as such the Air Force maintains security and restricts access throughout the base, in addition to land use controls in place for environmental restoration.

EPA currently anticipates that there will be sufficient data to make a Human Exposure evaluation by 2029, when all the remedial investigation and feasibility studies (RI/FS) are complete, and the RODs are signed.

EPA ensures community participation throughout the remedial process by participating in routine quarterly Restoration Advisory Board meetings with residents and affected stakeholders, issuing public notices and updating fact sheets. A site profile has been established on the EPA website to keep the community informed of recent progress at the site. Additionally, an EPA Community Involvement Coordinator is assigned to the site and can address specific community concerns as they arise.