State & Township Tests
NJDEP
In June 2026, NJDEP sampled groundwater from monitoring wells on the landfill and surface water in Raritan Bay, Chingarora Creek, and other tributaries adjacent to the site.
In August, NJDEP expanded its testing beyond the landfill, collecting soil-gas and groundwater samples in surrounding neighborhoods to investigate whether contamination could have migrated off-site and created a potential vapor intrusion pathway.
NJDEP will hold a town hall on September 22 to present their findings. They released a video on August 26, outlining their efforts.
Excel Environmental Resources
In July 2026, Excel conducted a Focused Site Investigation Report on behalf of the Borough of Keyport. The investigation examined the shallow groundwater in the landfill area, as well as soil and groundwater quality in Lot 14, an undeveloped parcel in the southwest portion of the site.
In 2010, Excel conducted a Site Investigation/Remedial Investigation that identified contaminants above groundwater quality standards, potential pathways for exposure, and confirmed inadequate site closure. As part of the investigation, Princeton Hydro, LLC performed a Baseline Ecological Evaluation to assess potential ecological impacts associated with the site.
Property & Due Dilligence Tests
SESI Environmental Consultants
Between October 2025 and July 2026, SESI conducted environmental testing on behalf of Pacer Group Holdings, the company currently under contract to purchase the property. The testing was conducted as part of the company's due dilligence to evaluate existing environmental conditions and potential risks associated with the property.
SESI/Pacer's Keyport Website: keyportlandfillclosure.com
Independent Tests
Scott Smith
Scott Smith is an environmental scientist and EPA whistleblower who has independently tested the Aeromarine site and nearby properties.
Scott Smith will hold a town hall in September to present his findings.
NJ.com
NJ.com conducted independent testing at locations outside the landfill, including public parks. Its investigation also documented more than 400 cancer cases reported by residents in the area.
[NJ.com's independent testing report]
What has been found?
Contamination at the Landfill
Excel's 2010 investigation identified contaminants in groundwater at concentrations about New Jersey groundwater quality standards, including benzene, arsenic, lead, vinyl chloride, and PCBs. Their investigation also identified potential pathways for contaminants to migrate from the site into Raritan Bay and Chingarora Creek through eroded soil and groundwater. The report considered the potential ecological exposure risk from groundwater impacts to be negligible.
New testing in 2026 has found many of the same contaminants still present. SESI's testing of 13 groundwater wells at the landfill found metals including arsenic, lead, aluminum, cobalt, iron, manganese, and sodium at levels exceeding applicable standards. Benzene, vinyl chloride, and PFAS were also detected above standards.
Contamination Outside the Landfill
Independent testing has found contaminants beyond the landfill itself. A study commissioned by NJ.com found elevated levels of toxic and carcinogenic metals including arsenic, cobalt, lead, nickel, antimony, and vanadium in the surrounding community, including areas near playgrounds and a baseball field.
Independent testing by environmental scientist Scott Smith also detected dioxins in soil collected at the landfill and at a nearby residence. The reported concentration was approximately 6.5 times the EPA's trigger threshold for human health concern and follow-up testing. Dioxins are highly toxic, persistent chemicals associated with cancer and other serious health effects.
Scott Smith held a town hall on August 7 to discuss his background and preliminary findings. You can view his presentation slides here.
What NJDEP Says
At the August 13 council meeting, Commissioner Ed Potosnak said that "to date," NJDEP had not found evidence of a pathway exposing people to contamination at levels that would require immediate action:
“When there is a pathway to expose humans at levels that will affect their health, regulations require immediate action. 2010, if that were the case, immediate action would have been taken. If any of these test results that are coming out today show that, immediate action will be taken. To date, that has not been the case in Keyport."
NJDEP is now testing groundwater and soil-gas in surrounding neighborhoods to determine whether contamination could create a vapor-intrusion pathway into homes and other structures.