Remediation Standards

Introduction to Remediation Standards

May 2021

These rules implement the provisions of the Brownfield and Contaminated Site Remediation Act [pdf], N.J.S.A. 58:10B-12, and other statutes, by establishing standards for the remediation of contaminated ground water, surface water, soil, soil leachate and indoor air. These rules supplement the requirements of the Technical Requirements for Site Remediation rules [pdf], N.J.A.C. 7:26E.

On June 2, 2008, the Department adopted new Remediation Standards rules at N.J.A.C. 7:26D. These rules were readopted without change on April 27, 2015. The soil remediation standards contained in those rules were effective on June 2, 2008. The ground water and surface water remediation standards were previously effective at N.J.A.C. 7:26E-1.13.

On September 18, 2017, the Department updated the soil remediation standards for 19 contaminants, as listed in N.J.A.C. 7:26D, Appendix 1, Tables 1A and 1B. The updated soil remediation standards reflect revisions to the toxicity information for these contaminants, as contained in the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database (see EPA Integrated Risk Information System), on which the soil remediation standards are based.

On May 17, 2021, the Department adopted amended rules at N.J.A.C. 7:26D. Included in the amended rules are soil and soil leachate remediation standards for the migration to ground water exposure pathway and indoor air remediation standards for the vapor intrusion exposure pathway. Also included is the replacement of direct contact soil remediation standards with separate soil remediation standards for the inhalation exposure pathway and the ingestion-dermal exposure pathway. In addition, the rule amendments Expands the existing interim remediation standard process to include soil and soil leachate for the migration to ground water exposure pathway, indoor air for the vapor intrusion exposure pathway, and ground water. Also, the existing process for updating remediation standards has been expanded to include soil and soil leachate for the migration to ground water exposure pathway, indoor air for the vapor intrusion exposure pathway, and ground water. The existing alternative remediation standards process has been expanded to include soil and soil leachate for the migration to ground water exposure pathway and indoor air for the vapor intrusion exposure pathway.

Remediation Standards

Interim Remediation Standards

Remediation Standards Comparison Tables

Phase In/Order of Magnitude Guidance

The Department has revised the following guidance documents that will help remediating parties comply with the new remediation standards:

Basis and Background Documents

Guidance Documents

Calculators

The Soil and Soil Leachate Migration to Ground Water Exposure Pathway Calculator

This includes the following calculators:

  • Soil-Water Partition Equation Calculator
  • Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure Calculator
  • Dilution-Attenuation Factor Calculator
  • Fraction Organic Carbon Calculator
  • PFAS SPLP Calculator

Soil Ingestion-Dermal Exposure Pathway Calculator

Soil Inhalation Exposure Pathway Calculator

Vapor Intrusion Exposure Pathway Calculator

The Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbon Ingestion-Dermal Exposure Pathway Calculator:

This includes the following calculators:

  • Category 2 Sample-Specific Residential
  • Category 2 Sample-Specific Non-Residential
  • Category 1 and 2 Alternative Remediation Standards for Soil (based on Land Use Exposure Scenarios)

Tips for Using NJDEP Remediation Standards Calculators

Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbon Information

Chromium

Alternative or Interim Remediation Standards and or Screening Level Application Forms

NOTE: The following attainment and compliance documents which pertain specifically to the migration to ground water exposure pathway may be accessed at CSRR Guidance Library

Remediation Standards Archive page

Related Links

Notes
To obtain official copies of these regulations consult the DEP’s How to Get Copies of Departmental Rules page.

This is a “courtesy copy” of the rules. For more information, see the NJ Office of Administrative Law’s Rules page.

Important Note About The Spreadsheets
To work properly, the spreadsheet files have to be downloaded or saved to your computer first. Your spreadsheet software also needs to have macros enabled for most of the spreadsheets linked from this page.