PASSAIC COUNTY, N.J. — Armed with just a kayak and determination, Matt Dolitsky paddled two feet above the filthy, debris-choked Passaic River in a bold outdoor excursion this week.
Navigating the murky waters lined with industrial waste and floating trash, Matt pushed through one of New Jersey’s most notoriously polluted rivers. The Passaic, long plagued by contamination from decades of industrial dumping, remains under federal cleanup efforts.
Key Points
- A man named Matt kayaked the heavily polluted Passaic River this week.
- The river, once an industrial dumping ground, remains a major Superfund cleanup site.
- Despite environmental hazards, Matt completed his journey using a basic kayak.
Officials have repeatedly warned about the health risks tied to the river’s toxic sediments and untreated runoff. Yet Matt’s expedition highlights both the ongoing environmental challenges and the growing popularity of urban outdoor adventures, even in compromised waterways.
The Environmental Protection Agency has been overseeing cleanup efforts in the Passaic for years, focusing on removing dioxins, heavy metals, and other contaminants that settled into the riverbed from former factories.
Passaic River remains hazardous despite cleanup efforts
Local activists have pushed for faster restoration of the river, citing ongoing dangers to both wildlife and public health. Despite partial dredging and containment measures, experts warn the river is still unsafe for recreational contact.
It remains unclear if Matt wore protective gear during his journey, but kayaking on the Passaic River remains heavily discouraged by environmental groups.
The Passaic River’s condition has improved slightly in recent years, but it continues to serve as a stark reminder of New Jersey’s industrial legacy.
Ignoring warnings about its toxic waters, one man braved the Passaic River by kayak, paddling atop pollution two feet deep.PASSAIC COUNTY, N.J. — Armed with just a kayak and determination, a man known as Matt paddled two feet above the filthy, debris-choked Passaic River in a bold outdoor excursion this week.
Navigating the murky waters lined with industrial waste and floating trash, Matt pushed through one of New Jersey’s most notoriously polluted rivers. The Passaic, long plagued by contamination from decades of industrial dumping, remains under federal cleanup efforts.
Key Points
- A man named Matt kayaked the heavily polluted Passaic River this week.
- The river, once an industrial dumping ground, remains a major Superfund cleanup site.
- Despite environmental hazards, Matt completed his journey using a basic kayak.
Officials have repeatedly warned about the health risks tied to the river’s toxic sediments and untreated runoff. Yet Matt’s expedition highlights both the ongoing environmental challenges and the growing popularity of urban outdoor adventures, even in compromised waterways.
The Environmental Protection Agency has been overseeing cleanup efforts in the Passaic for years, focusing on removing dioxins, heavy metals, and other contaminants that settled into the riverbed from former factories.
Passaic River remains hazardous despite cleanup efforts
Local activists have pushed for faster restoration of the river, citing ongoing dangers to both wildlife and public health. Despite partial dredging and containment measures, experts warn the river is still unsafe for recreational contact.
It remains unclear if Matt wore protective gear during his journey, but kayaking on the Passaic River remains heavily discouraged by environmental groups.
The Passaic River’s condition has improved slightly in recent years, but it continues to serve as a stark reminder of New Jersey’s industrial legacy.
Ignoring warnings about its toxic waters, one man braved the Passaic River by kayak, paddling atop pollution two feet deep.