Category: Drycleaners

While the surrounding Mooresville, Indiana community applauds Crest Cleaners for proactively cleaning up a previously unidentified hazardous mess that was left behind from historic dry cleaning practices, the workhorses remediating the contamination are grinding away below the subsurface.  Tiny microorganisms are destroying the PCE in the groundwater and reducing the concentration of the contaminant. It’s all a part of the “Enhanced Reductive Dechlorination,” process, which is the primary approach of the Remedial Work Plan (RWP) being implemented by EnviroForensics.

In addition to the potential for human health risks at the Site as a result of soil or groundwater exposure, the contaminant plume in the groundwater represented a potential vapor intrusion risk to an offsite building.  The project team debated between two viable options:

1.      Install, monitor, and maintain a Sub-Slab Depressurization System (SSDS) at the offsite location to mitigate the potentially harmful vapors underneath the building, which would have required years of maintenance and groundwater sampling; or

2.      Implement an ERD application to reduce the concentration of the groundwater plume, and eliminate potential vapor intrusion issues.

Based on the overall benefit to the community and to reduce stress and aggravation to adjacent property owners that comes with long-term monitoring, the project team chose option two.

Here’s how the remediation at this site worked. Naturally occurring bacteria called Dehalococcoides ethanogenes (DHC) are in the groundwater completing a process called reductive dechlorination where the chlorine molecules are cleaved off and replaced by hydrogen particles.  This process continues until the resulting compound is no longer dangerous.   At this site, the process was occurring, but not at a rate that would make the cleanup cost effective for the client.  In order to complete this cleanup we utilized a process called bioaugmented enhanced reductive dechlorination (ERD) and in-situ chemical reduction (ISCR).  The process begins by sampling the groundwater across the remediation area for contaminant concentrations and geochemical parameters including DHC populations to determine the dosage of injected materials required in each area of the site.  Different areas received modified doses of materials based on the calculations completed by our geochemist.  The ERD agent (3D-Microemulsion or 3DMe) was injected along with Chemical Reducing Solution (CRS), an ISCR augmentation.  The ISCR agent immediately begins hydrolysis reactions directly destroying the PCE contaminant while producing reduction reactions with the natural chemistry that will allow the 3DMe to better complete its work.  The two work synergistically, increasing the cost effectiveness of the injection.  The pre-sampling of DHC revealed that the population of DHC needed to be augmented.  10 gallons of a DHC enhanced fluid was injected at each of the 92 injection locations used for the ERD/ISCR.   The combination of these three injected materials allows for minimal site disturbance and a high level of effectiveness for the cleanup of drycleaning solvents.

An often overlooked byproduct of the ERD process is methane. As a preventative measure, the field staff upgraded the Site building SSDS with an intrinsically-safe fan and installed an intrinsically-safe SSDS at the offsite building as an interim measure.  Soil gas points were also installed between the injection areas and the adjoining properties to the east.  Additionally, EnviroForensics has extra intrinsically-safe fans and piping ready to be installed, should there be a methane issue at the surrounding properties.

The results from the first injection event were very promising. Groundwater contaminant concentration went down from thousands of micrograms per liter before the injection to single digits of micrograms per liter one month after the injections. Quarterly groundwater sampling will continue for a year or two to demonstrate that the contaminant plume is retreating or remediated. The ultimate goal of the ERD approach is to reach Site closure quickly, and reduce the costs and health risks of this contamination.

 

Click here to learn more about how Enhanced Reductive Dechlorination works.

Cleaning up contamination at the site of your business can be a daunting prospect. In addition to concerns about the associated costs, worries about how the cleanup process will affect your business also arise. Questions come up such as: “Can I remain open while cleanup is occurring?” “Will I lose customers?” “Will it affect my workers?”

EnviroForensics considers these top-level concerns as we conduct environmental investigations and remediation for our clients. We strive to create as little interference in our clients’ business operations as possible while we handle environmental contamination. There are several examples of clients we have assisted in this way.

A recent example is Mercury Cleaners, a dry cleaner client of ours in Valparaiso, Indiana that is undergoing a soil and groundwater contamination cleanup while remaining open. Norman, Linda and Brett Dygert, the owners of Mercury Cleaners, received a notice of liability from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) after testing discovered perchloroethylene (PERC) in the soil and groundwater on a nearby property. EnviroForensics was able to work with the Dygerts and IDEM to create a remediation plan that allows Mercury Cleaners to remain open while remediation occurs.  Active cleanup is underway without business interruptions.

Klinke Cleaners is another client of ours who was able to conduct normal business operations while we dealt with contamination on one of their properties. Our team drilled for soil samples, collected vapor samples, and installed a vapor mitigation system beneath the building without disrupting our client’s workers or customers. We successfully addressed contamination on the property and obtained a regulatory site closure for the dry cleaner, all while ensuring that our client was able to run their business as usual.

Yet another example is a client of ours who is the owner of a former manufacturing facility turned furniture showroom. Historical operations from past owners caused a release of chlorinated solvents in the soil and groundwater, which migrated to other properties. To protect our client’s newly renovated showroom, our staff isolated the work area while messy subsurface investigation processes were underway. Our staff made sure that all contaminated soils and water produced during the process were quickly gathered and carefully contained.

EnviroForensics understands that, as a business owner, it is important to you that your business remain viable while contamination issues are addressed. Although it may seem like the remediation process would be disruptive and harmful to your business, we make it our priority to keep you in business while fulfilling our promise to help you deal with environmental liabilities.

We are happy to report that another one of our projects has entered the beginning stages of remediation for one of our valued clients. EnviroForensics has been conducting an environmental investigation at the former Harvey Cleaners of Evansville, Indiana since due diligence efforts at a nearby property uncovered contamination coming from the former Harvey’s operations.  The owner of the former Harvey’s Cleaners has been working alongside the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), and EnviroForensics, to determine the breadth of the problem.

Subsurface investigation activities, initially requested by the IDEM in 2010, identified the release of hazardous materials to the subsurface at the site.  Additional site investigation activities were performed by EnviroForensics under the direction of IDEM, and the data revealed that the historic dry cleaning operations had impacted not only the soil, but also the groundwater beneath the building.  The assessment to determine the precise source and extents of the contamination was recently finalized, and a strategy to clean-up the site was put into action this month.

Soil excavation was selected as the primary remedial option to definitively and efficiently remediate the release of these chemicals to the soils, and will have a positive effect on the low level of groundwater impacts.  Demolition of the vacant building was determined to be a necessary step in order to gain access to the impacted soils beneath the building’s foundation. The demolition of the building began in earnest this week.  The remediation efforts are being funded using insurance assets of the former Harvey’s Cleaners and are being completed at no additional cost to the owner of the former business. This summer’s remedial action will ultimately lead to site being granted regulatory closure by the IDEM, which will then release the property for beneficial reuse.

Faced with the possibility that decades-old dry cleaning solvent may have polluted ground under its original dry cleaning plant in Jeffersonville, Indiana, family-owned dry cleaning business Nu Yale Cleaners contracted EnviroForensics to investigate. Together, the two companies are proactively taking action for a safer, cleaner environment by removing perchloroethylene (PCE contamination), a dry-cleaning solvent they no longer use. And Nu Yale is happy to talk about it.

The Positive Side of Things

Believe it or not, even with all of the scariness and seriousness, cleaning up environmental contamination can be good community relations.  The key is understanding that there is a positive light to cleaning up environmental contamination and that it doesn’t have to hurt your reputation. Continue reading “When Environmental Cleanup is Good Community Relations”

Dry cleaners often live in a state of fear. Harsh chemicals used by these businesses can permeate the ground nearby, resulting in environmental problems that may lead to costly cleanup or litigation. Many business owners are in the dark when it comes to understanding what triggers an environmental investigation. For some, the best option is to simply look the other way.

What triggers an environmental investigation?

The most common triggering event is a requirement by a bank lending on the property. The property owner may want to refinance the property, or a prospective buyer of the property wants to obtain financing.

Other issues that can trigger environmental investigations include:

·         Contamination being discovered  in municipal or private drinking water wells

·         Contamination being discovered beneath neighboring or down gradient properties

·         Regional investigations conducted under the direction of state or federal regulatory agencies

How does this process begin?

When a bank evaluates whether or not to lend on a commercial property, they will require a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA). The Phase I ESA is a due diligence evaluation of the property to identify potential or existing environmental contamination liabilities. A Phase I ESA is conducted under guidelines established by ASTM International, an organization of engineers, scientists, and policymakers that set technical standards.

The consultant conducting the Phase I ESA will inspect the site for signs of staining, evidence of spills, stressed vegetation, determination of underground and above ground tanks, secondary containment, violations, and operating practices. They will evaluate records at the fire department, local health department, state environmental agencies, and federal EPA to determine whether fires or chemical spills were reported on the subject property or on neighboring properties. This review would also evaluate what businesses are operating in the vicinity that could cause environmental impacts that may impact the subject site.  The past operation of certain types of businesses, including dry cleaners, automatically increases the chance that further ground testing will be required prior to lending.

New guidance passed in 2013 puts greater emphasis on assessing the potential impacts from vapor intrusion and vapor migration on the property. The definition of an environmental concern within the guidance has been changed to include contamination in the subsurface vapor phase, in addition to the soil and groundwater.

The net result of this new guidance will be an increased focus on dry cleaners that used perchloroethylene (PERC).

What happens after the Phase I ESA?

Should the Phase I ESA identify a reasonable potential that soil and groundwater may be impacted, the consultant will suggest conducting a Phase II ESA. A Phase II ESA includes collection of subsurface samples to determine whether the property has been impacted with chemicals that pose a risk to human health or the environment.

What does this mean?

PERC is a common dry cleaning solvent, which is why focus is placed on dry cleaners. When PERC is found in the groundwater, the situation escalates rapidly.

The State of California, for example, found levels of PERC in municipal drinking water wells and immediately sought to identify all dry cleaners that operated within a mile radius of the well for the previous 50 years.  By using historical records, the address, name, and period of time a dry cleaner operated at a location can be identified.

If PERC, or any other contaminant is found in soil or groundwater during a Phase II ESA, the release is required to be reported to the state environmental agency.  Subsequent investigations and, ultimately, remediation activities, are then required to be performed with oversight by the agency.

The term “release” will now also include identified impacts in the vapor phase (i.e. soil gas). The need to assess the subsurface vapor phase (soil gas phase) will likely result in increased sampling, which could lead to an increase in dry cleaner sites identified as potentially having releases from their operations.

What can you do?

All dry cleaners must understand how investigations are triggered and what to expect after, which is why locating the old commercial general liability (CGL) insurance policies is vital. Old CGL policies written before 1985 or 1986 don’t include absolute pollution exclusion language and can be used to defend the insured against contamination claims.

EnviroForensics is highly regarded for our expertise in chlorinated solvent contamination and vapor intrusion (VI) issues. If VI is a concern for your property, we encourage you to learn more.

To find out additional information about environmental remediation triggers and steps you can take to protect your business, contact us today.

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EnviroForensics® is an environmental engineering firm specializing in soil and groundwater investigation and remediation and vapor intrusion assessment and mitigation. EnviroForensics® has all the tools available to us to perform the highest caliber science in the market today, which allows designing and implementing knowledgeable, innovative and effective solutions to PCE and TCE contamination. EnviroForensics® has pioneered and perfected the utilization of Commercial General Liability insurance policies as a resource to pay for the high costs associated with soil and groundwater investigations, remediation, and legal defense.