Incident Category

PRP CERCLA Response

Site Description

The site is the Park Ave $2.75 Cleaners, an active dry cleaning facility, and the surrounding area. The dry cleaner is located in the Cherry Hill Court Shopping Center, between a Rite Aid and a pet groomer.

At the request of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), EPA is responding to address potential imminent and substantial threats posed by the release of dry cleaning solvents.

Location

The site is located at 260 South Lilley Road, Canton, Michigan 48188.

Description of Threat

Perchloroethylene, vinyl chloride, trichloroethene, and cis-1,2-dichloroethene have been found in the sub-slab areas of the dry cleaner and adjacent businesses. Several sub-slab locations exceed the MDHHS Trigger Levels - one sample result was found to be 2,100,000 ug/m3 - 362x above the level requiring mitigation.

Current indoor ambient air results do not exceed the MDHHS Trigger Levels.

Response Actions to Date

In 2005, a Phase I was completed for the shopping center. Based on the identification of the dry cleaner, a Phase II investigation was added at the Park Avenue $2.25 Cleaners (now Park Avenue $2.75 Cleaners).

In 2006, the Phase II Assessment identified environmental concerns associated with the release of dry cleaning solvents. The soils below the building were impacted and remedial actions were recommended.  

In 2009, a soil vapor extraction system (SVE) was installed, but due to the moisture content in the soil material the air flow was restricted, and it was ultimately unsuccessful in remediating the solvent release. In 2010, a low-vacuum radon blower was installed to vent the vapors from below the floor.  

Between 2011 and 2014, work plans were developed and reviewed with alternating approaches and assessment activities.  

In 20015, Park Ave $2.75 Cleaners' consultant, AnteaGroup, completed assessment activities that identified groundwater exceedances of MDEQ screening levels. Soil vapor monitoring points installed at this time did not show exceedances of screening levels - likely due to vapor pin leaks.

In June 2016, after indoor air samples exceeded the MDHHS Trigger Level for evacuations, the MDHHS and MDEQ requested emergency support from EPA.  

EPA Activity

Immediate actions involved the suspension of dry cleaning work, installation of exhaust units, optimization of air flow, and re-sampling of the indoor air and sub-slab soil gas (vapor pins).

EPA Emergency Response Branch is being assisted by EPA Environmental Response Team.

Indoor Air Samples

- The indoor air samples collected from each business showed solvent levels below MDHHS' chronic and acute levels. Likely due to the suspension of active dry cleaning.

Sub-Slab Samples 

- Three vapor pins were installed between the shopping center and nearby residential homes - results were below MDHHS screening criteria.

- Several vapor pins were installed inside the three businesses - results showed exceedances of screening criteria in all three locations. One as high as 2,100,000 ug/m3.

Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

EPA is working to identify responsible parties.

Anticipated Activities

1) The PRP will develop and implement a comprehensive assessment plan to define the nature and extent of the subsurface contamination.

2) Based on the assessment, the PRP will recommend and implement a removal to mitigate sub-slab vapor levels.

3) The OSC will consult with EPA ERT, MDEQ, and MDHHS. .

3.1 Unified Command

3.2 Cooperating Agencies

MDEQ

ERT

MDHHS

PRP - 3-5 staff

START - 1

EPA  - 1

ERT - Environmental Response Team 

EPA - Environmental Protection Agency

MDEQ - Michigan Department of Environmental Quality 

MDHHS - Michigan Department Human Health Services 

PCE  - Tetrachloroethylene

START - Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team

ug/m3 - micrograms per cubic meter