Information about Potential Toxic Chemical Contamination
In July 2024, Bartram’s Garden was notified by a visitor of potential chromium contamination adjacent to the Bartram’s Mile Trail.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health and our independent test results, most park users are at very low risk for exposure.
This page contains continuous updates from Bartram’s Garden as we monitor and respond to this evolving situation as well as data, health guidance, and other resources from government agencies, elected officials, and other stakeholders.
Last Updated: September 3
A map showing the area of the Bartram’s Mile Trail that is currently closed. The Bartram’s Garden property appears green on the map; the adjacent former industrial site is light brown, with white circles showing former holding tanks.
On July 19, 2024, we received a fact sheet from the Pennsylvania Department of Health about chromium exposure. Click here to download the full document. Some important points:
- Activities like walking, biking, fishing, and kayaking present a “very low risk for exposure” to chromium.
- Exposure can be reduced by washing hands or the exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water.
- Keep children from playing in soil in the area.
- Fish do not accumulate much chromium in tissue from water. Anglers should follow current fish consumption guidance from the waterbodies where you fish.
Bartram’s Garden commissioned independent environmental testing in July and August. Based on the results of those tests and DEP’s data, and after professional cleaning of all impacted equipment, free public fishing, boating, and biking programs have resumed. However, the impacted segment of the Bartram’s Mile Trail will remain closed until all contaminants are removed from the landscape. All other park programs and areas are unimpacted and open for visitors.
Bartram’s Garden continues to monitor this situation closely and will post updates here as they become available.
What is the problem?
On July 15, 2024, Bartram’s Garden was notified by a regular visitor about a potential chemical contamination leaking onto the Bartram’s Mile Trail from former industrial properties north of the community boathouse (see map). The property is owned privately and is not an area of public access; however, it is adjacent to Bartram’s Garden and to the Bartram’s Mile Trail.
The visitor shared many photos of the potential contaminant, including the image below, indicating that the spill has traversed the Bartram’s Mile Trail and may have entered the river. The potential contaminant is visible in this photo as the greenish liquid running across the Trail.
Photo courtesy Andy Switzer.
The visitor had expressed concerns to the Philadelphia Water Department and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) as early as April 2024. In April, the Water Department tested the material and concluded that it was not a naturally occurring substance like algae.
In response to the visitor’s inquiries, PA DEP shared with them in July 2024 that groundwater and soil samples from the site had been collected between January–May 2024, indicating the presence of total chromium, chromium III (trivalent), and chromium VI (hexavalent). According to OSHA, there can be serious health risks associated with exposure to chromium hexavalent.
What else is happening to address this?
With support from the City of Philadelphia and City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, Bartram’s Garden immediately closed the impacted portion of the Bartram’s Mile Trail upon receiving the visitor’s concern on July 15. Since then, together with other partners we have taken further action to learn more about this situation and to ensure the safety of our staff, visitors, and neighbors:
- The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) committed on July 16 to test the runoff on and around the Trail to identify any contaminants and their concentrations. DEP continues to work with the responsible party to address trivalent and hexavalent chromium impacts, along with the previously documented residual petroleum impacts through the Act 2 process. Click here to download a public statement from DEP on July 19 or click here for an updated DEP overview about the contamination.
- The Philadelphia Water Department confirmed on July 17 that there is no risk to Philadelphia’s drinking water. The Philadelphia Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Unit also inspected the area around the Bartram’s Mile Trail and found no threats to air quality or toxic run-off.
- State Rep. Regina Young convened a virtual town hall meeting on July 31 for state and municipal agencies to share more information about the contamination with residents.
What do we know about the potential health and environmental impacts?
See above for a chromium exposure fact sheet from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Activities like walking, biking, fishing, and kayaking in the affected area present a “very low risk” for chromium exposure. The fact sheet also notes, “It is unlikely that short-term exposure to chromium at low/moderate levels found in the environment will result in cancer or other severe health effects.”
On July 31, State Representative Regina Young (185th District) hosted a virtual town hall meeting with city and state agencies to discuss this incident. During the meeting, representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection presented a report on their recent environmental testing at the site. Click here to access the presentation, courtesy the Philadelphia Inquirer.
