History

The Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC Site

On April 16, 2003, Pfizer Inc acquired Pharmacia Corporation and assumed responsibility for the former Upjohn Company site in North Haven, Connecticut. Although Pfizer never operated on the property, Pfizer takes seriously its responsibility to both the government and the community to address the conditions at the site in order to protect human health and the environment.

Background

The 78-acre property has a long history of industrial use. In the 1800s, I.L. Stiles & Son operated a brick yard on the property. During the 1900s, prior owners of the property manufactured products used in dyes and pigments; photographic chemicals; sunscreen agents; additives for soaps, perfumes and cosmetics; agricultural herbicides; pharmaceuticals and photo-initiators. All manufacturing ceased at the site in 1993.

Between 1989 and 2008, a series of site investigations, risk assessments and interim remedial actions were performed with oversight by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the concurrence of the then Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (CTDEP).

In September 2008, Pfizer received authorization from the USEPA to proceed with a Corrective Measures Study (CMS) to evaluate different cleanup technologies for the property. Following completion of the CMS and a public comment period, the USEPA issued its Remedy Decision and Response to Comments document dated September 10, 2010.

Over the next decade, Pfizer and its subsidiary, Pharmacia & Upjohn, implemented comprehensive corrective measures to address soil, sediment and groundwater impacts on the property, provide long-term protection to human health and the environment, and return the property to productive use.

Current Status

On September 30, 2019, USEPA deemed the Remedy Construction complete. With remediation construction activities complete, Pharmacia and Upjohn has fulfilled its obligations with the USEPA, with the exception of some administrative filings. On March 9, 2021, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) issued a Stewardship Permit for the Pharmacia & Upjohn Company, LLC Site which covers ongoing obligations, including groundwater monitoring, maintenance of engineered controls, and operation of the groundwater extraction and treatment system.