The Former Kil-Tone Company operated a pesticide manufacturing facility in Vineland, New Jersey from the late 1910s to the early 1930s. That operation released arsenic and lead into soil, groundwater, sediment, and surface water. Contamination spread beyond the original 3.15-acre property to nearby residential and commercial areas, as well as the Tarkiln Branch stream and its floodplain. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List in April 2016.
Arsenic and lead are the primary contaminants of concern, found in soil and other media across the site. Additional contaminants in residential soils include dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, and several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo(a)pyrene. Arsenic is a known human carcinogen and can cause skin cancer, lung irritation, and fetal development problems. Lead is a cumulative poison that is especially dangerous to children and pregnant women, causing cognitive deficits and other health effects. Residents face unacceptable health risks from incidental soil ingestion and skin contact with contaminated soil.
EPA has organized cleanup into five operable units (OUs). OU1 covers residential properties, where EPA has completed cleanup at 85 properties since 2015 and expects to finish remaining work by September 2025. OU2 covers soils and source areas, with work on non-residential properties underway and expected to run through late 2028. OU3 addresses groundwater, with a remedial investigation completed in 2024 and a cleanup plan expected in late 2026. OU4 covers stream sediment, with investigations ongoing and expected to conclude in 2028. OU5, established in 2025, addresses floodplain soil along the Tarkiln Branch, with a cleanup plan for residential floodplain areas expected in 2026.
EPA has installed fencing along the Tarkiln Branch and placed institutional controls to restrict land uses that are incompatible with current contamination levels. Fifteen businesses currently operate on site, employing 95 people and generating roughly $14.5 million in annual sales. To reduce exposure in the meantime, residents should wash hands and produce frequently, keep children away from bare soil, use HEPA-filter vacuums, and avoid tracking soil indoors.
Community members can contact the EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator or the Remedial Project Manager. Site documents are available at the EPA Region 2 Superfund Records Center in New York City and at the Vineland City Library. EPA has provided updates in both English and Spanish.
