Residents Want Answers After Threat Of Lead Exposure Hits NJ Neighborhood

WEST DEPTFORD, N.J. (CBS) -- For 22 years, Dennis Ricci had no idea the little pieces of plastic in his soil were actually ground up casings from car batteries.

"My wife can't sleep," Ricci said. A lot of people are losing sleep.

EPA soil testing, which began in May, found that seven out of eight homes on Birchly Court in West Deptford, have battery pieces. Now, they're testing 28 more homes in the same development.

When EPA investigators searched records, they found prior to homes being built here in 1989, the 17 acres parcel belonged to a man in the battery recycling business.

They aren't sure when the battery casings were put into the ground, or if it was illegal during that time period.

"It's not for me to say if it's legal or illegal," said David Rosoff, the coordinator on scene for the EPA. "We're here responding to the release of hazardous substances and it there is unacceptable risk with exposure to lead."

Residents say someone owes them an explanation.

"The township should have caught on to that when they sent the inspectors out to check on the plumbing and all," said Victor Baker, a local resident.

At the municipal building, the township administrator said they are cooperating with the EPA, but she couldn't give any history about the inspections in the neighborhood.

Ricci explained that he raised kids in that home. "Then we had grandkids play here and it's just not right," he added.