OSWER/OSRTI

Washington, DC 20460

NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST (NPL) 

***Final Site*** May 2013 

MATLACK, INC. Woolwich Township, New Jersey

Gloucester County

 Site Location:

The Matlack, Inc. site is located on Route 322 i n Woolwich Township, Gloucester County in southwestern New 

Jersey. 

 Site History:

The site operated from 1962 to 2001 as a truck terminal and chemical tank trailer (a.k.a tanker) cleaning facility. The 

site’s primary waste was generated during tanker cleaning operations, which involved the use of detergents, mild 

caustic/acid solutions, and organic solvents to wash out tankers used for transporting liquid chemicals and hazardous 

wastes. From 1962 unt il 1976, w astewater from the cleaning of the tanks was disposed of in an unlined sand and 

gravel pit (referred to as “the unlined lagoon”). Use of the unlined lagoon was discontinued in 1976 when the lagoon 

was filled in. After 1976 wastewaters were stored temporarily in a series of tanks for treatment. 

 Site Contamination/Contaminants:

Materials related to the operation of the site include oils, organic solvents, resins, acids and hazardous wastes. Soils in 

and around the unlined lagoon are contaminated with a variety of chlorinated organic solvents and polycyclic 

biphenyls (PCB). Residual soil contamination in the area of the former wastewater tanks includes naphthalene, bis2-

ethylhexyl phthalate and PCBs. 

 Potential Impacts on Surrounding Community/Environment:

The former unlined lagoon and areas of contaminated soils at the site have not been cleaned up. Numerous 

investigations have confirmed significant releases of chlorinated solvents and other volatile and semi-volatile organic 

compounds in ground water. These contaminants have migrated to the shallow ground water toward a small creek 

called Grand Sprute Run. Contamination has migrated to wetlands, a state-designated natural area known as the New 

Jersey Natural Heritage Priority Site and to bald eagle habitat. Bald eagles are a state-designated threatened species. 

Grand Sprute Run discharges to Raccoon Creek and ultimately to the Delaware River. Both downstream surface water 

bodies are consumption fisheries. There are two aquifers, separated by a clay layer, beneath the Matlack, Inc. site. The 

lower aquifer is utilized for public drinking water supply. 

 Response Activities (to date):

The site was proposed to the NPL in 1985 and removed from proposal in 1989, because it was eligible for clean up 

actions under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act’s Corrective Action program. Prior to filing for 

bankruptcy in 2001, M atlack entered into an Administrative Consent Order with the New Jersey Department of 

Environmental Protection for cleanup of the site. A ground water pump and treat system was installed at the site; 

however, the system has not operated continuously and ground water contamination persists. 

 Need for NPL Listing:

The state of New Jersey referred this site to the EPA. Other federal and state cleanup programs were evaluated, but are 

not viable at this time. The EPA received a letter of support for placing this site on the NPL from the state of New 

Jersey. 

[The description of the site (release) is based on information available at the time the site was evaluated with the HRS. The description may 

change as additional information is gathered on the sources and extent of contamination. See 56 FR 5600, February 11, 1991, or subsequent 

FR notices.]

For more information about the hazardous substances identified in this narrative summary, including general information regarding the effects of exposure to 

these substances on human health, please see the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) ToxFAQs. ATSDR ToxFAQs can be found on 

the Internet at http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/index.asp or by telephone at 1-888-42-ATSDR or 1-888-422-8737.