EPA Proposes Cleanup Plan to Address Contamination on Properties at the Former Kil-Tone Co. Superfund Site Floodplain in Vineland, New Jersey

EPA Proposes Cleanup Plan to Address Contamination on Properties at the Former Kil-Tone Co. Superfund Site Floodplain in Vineland, New Jersey

June 15, 2026

Vineland, N.J. - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a cleanup plan to remove arsenic- and lead-contaminated soil from floodplain properties along the Tarkiln Branch in Vineland, New Jersey. The proposal calls for excavating contaminated soil, transporting it off-site for disposal, and restoring impacted properties. This will allow EPA to remove contamination from residential and commercial properties and protect human health while continuing its broader investigation of contaminated sediment, surface water, and groundwater connected to the former Kil-Tone Company pesticide manufacturing facility.

"EPA is taking action to protect Vineland families from arsenic and lead in soil," said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. "This proposed plan focuses on the properties where action is needed in the shorter term and builds on years of EPA continued work to address broader contamination from the former Kil-Tone facility."

EPA has identified approximately 55 floodplain properties with arsenic and lead in soil at levels that require cleanup. Any cleanup done on private property will be done after permission is obtained from the owner, and it will be carried out in coordination with the owner. Under the proposed plan, EPA would excavate contaminated soil to a depth of 2 feet or less in most areas and dispose of it off site. Under the proposal, all impacted properties will be restored. EPA may put additional protections, such as deed notices or physical barriers, in place to prevent exposure and keep the cleanup protective in the long-term.

The former Kil-Tone Company operated a pesticide manufacturing facility at 527 East Chestnut Avenue in Vineland from the late 1910s to the early 1930s. Those operations released arsenic and lead, contaminating the former facility, nearby properties and downstream areas along the Tarkiln Branch. EPA added the site to the National Priorities List in 2016 and has since completed cleanup work at 85 nearby residential properties, with additional cleanup continuing at the former facility and nearby non-residential properties. This proposed plan would allow EPA to move ahead more quickly on floodplain properties while other site investigations continue.

EPA is accepting public comments on the proposed plan for 30 days, beginning June 11 and ending July 13. The public may submit written comments to Dan Patal, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway, 18^th floor, New York, NY 10007 or by email to [email protected].

EPA will hold a public meeting on June 17, 2026, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to provide an overview of the cleanup proposal and answer community questions. The meeting will be held at Gloria Sabater Elementary School Gymnasium, 301 S. East Boulevard, Vineland, New Jersey 08360.

The proposed plan and supporting documents will be available on the Kil-Tone Superfund site profile page.

Background

Since the 1970s, EPA has worked alongside partners at the federal, state, Tribal, and local levels to protect children's health and make progress in reducing lead exposures and lead-related health risks. Despite improvements over the last 50 years, ongoing exposures to lead where our families live, work, and play present a health risk, especially to children.

To combat this issue, in 2025 the Trump EPA reestablished a committee of senior leaders across the agency's program offices and ten regions to drive success in reducing children's exposure to lead. This renewed agency-wide focus is centered around strengthening cooperative federalism, streamlining actionable risk communications, and unleashing private sector innovation to protect human health and the environment. 

Please see epa.gov/leadExit EPA's website for additional information.

Follow EPA Region 2 on XExit EPA's website, InstagramExit EPA's website, and visit our FacebookExit EPA's website page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.

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