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List of Toxic Waste Sites in New Jersey

Under the provisions of the Superfund Act, the United States Department of Environmental Protection lists the worst toxic sites in all states, including New Jersey, through the Hazard Ranking System. The ranking system is based on the toxicity of the waste and the likelihood that people are or may potentially be affected by the hazardous substances. The Hazard Ranking System is also based on the pathways affected by the waste: groundwater, surface water, soil exposure and air. It is scored 1 to 100, with 100 being the most toxic. The environmental watchdog group, The Environmental Site: Scorecard, lists the sites according to toxicity.

  1. The Worst Site: Lipari Landfill

    • The worst toxic site in New Jersey is Lipari Landfill in Gloucester County with a score of 75.6. From 1958 to 1971 a variety of domestic and industrial wastes were dumped directly onto the ground. They percolated into the groundwater and eventually found their way into two creeks, Chestnut Branch and Rabbit Run, and Alcyon Lake. Cleanup efforts began in the early 1980s and have continued into this century.

    The Helen Kramer Landfill

    • The Helen Kramer Landfill, also in Gloucester, scored 72.66. The second-worst toxic site in New Jersey operated during the 1970s until it was closed by the state due to permit violations. Although privately owned, it primarily received municipal waste. Contaminants in both the groundwater and the surface water downhill from it have been found, and in 1981 an underground fire burned for two days. Remediation efforts continue into 2010.

    Price Landfill

    • The third most toxic site in New Jersey is Price Landfill, which scores 71.6. Once the top-priority site in New Jersey due to its proximity to Atlantic City, liquid industrial wastes were poured directly onto the ground or buried in 55-gallon drums, contaminating the ground water. Before some remediation efforts, the plume of contaminated water threatened the Atlantic City water supply. Clean up efforts continue into 2010.

    CPS/Madison Industries

    • CPS/Madison industries, in Middlesex County, are the next most toxic sites in New Jersey, at 69.73. These companies repeatedly dumped hazardous chemicals onto public and private property for more than a decade, and the surface water and ground water are contaminated with organic chemicals and heavy metals, including lead. Remediation efforts began in the early 1980s and continue into 2010.

    Gems Landfill

    • Gems Landfill in Camden County scores 68.53. A municipality, Gloucester Township, is the owner. Between the late 1950s and 1980, various parties dumped organic solvents and industrial chemicals directly onto the ground. They have contaminated the air and water, both ground and surface, including Holly Run Stream and Briar Lake. Clean up began in the early 1980s and continues into 2010.

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