Voluntary Cleanup Underway at Wolford
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Staff Report-
The work is being carried out by EnviroForensics, a national environmental engineering firm based in Indianapolis. Vince Henderson, Wolford owner since 2000, hired EnviroForensics to locate and remove pollution left behind by old dry cleaning solvents, according to a release from the firm.
EnviroForensics began on-site investigation in 2009. The company found levels of perchlorethylene, called “perc” or “PCE” in the ground – and threatening ground water – under the Wolford cleaning plant, according to the release.
Traces of air contamination in the form of vapor intrusion also were found in Wolford’s building. PCE is a once-common dry cleaning solvent recently identified as a carcinogen. When PCE gets into soil and groundwater from accidental spills, it creates environmental pollution that is very expensive to clean up, the release states.
Henderson switched Wolford Cleaners to a newer, nonpolluting solvent about five years ago but PCE remains in the ground. EnviroForensics found levels under the Wolford plant that exceeded environmental guidelines, and designed an environmental remediation plan for Henderson.
Beginning in May 2014, EnviroForensics installed equipment to remove or otherwise neutralize traces of perc.
“EnviroForensics was fantastic in keeping our customer traffic flowing even when they were installing equipment. Right now, there are two small trailers in the back of our laundry, and hardly anyone notices them,” Henderson said in the release, also noting that the ground under his building is cleaner.
The trailers house equipment to continually run and monitor the cleanup, according to Calvin Kelly, EnviroForensics project manager.
“We are doing advanced engineering. The ground water and vapor intrusion readings are well in check,” he is quoted as saying.
EnviroForensics will collect and analyze new samples; distribute results to Henderson, insurance carriers for the property and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management; and recommend a completion date for the cleanup and monitoring.
Henderson hired EnviroForensics before receiving any order from IDEM, according to the release.
“I read the literature about PCE,” he said. “I knew it might be under our property so I wanted to find out. I’m very happy with EnviroForensics’ work so far; everyone is extremely professional and I would recommend them to anyone.”
Harold and Geneal Wolford opened the cleaners in the mid 1960s and sold the company to Henderson’s parents in 1978. Henderson purchased the business from his parents in 2000. Wolford Cleaners remains in its original building near the Kosciusko County Courthouse and employs nine people.
The dry cleaner’s location in a mixed commercial and residential neighborhood makes environmental cleanup critical, according to Henderson.
“I feel we are improving the health and safety in the neighborhood and protecting the value of our property,” he said.[[In-content Ad]]
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The work is being carried out by EnviroForensics, a national environmental engineering firm based in Indianapolis. Vince Henderson, Wolford owner since 2000, hired EnviroForensics to locate and remove pollution left behind by old dry cleaning solvents, according to a release from the firm.
EnviroForensics began on-site investigation in 2009. The company found levels of perchlorethylene, called “perc” or “PCE” in the ground – and threatening ground water – under the Wolford cleaning plant, according to the release.
Traces of air contamination in the form of vapor intrusion also were found in Wolford’s building. PCE is a once-common dry cleaning solvent recently identified as a carcinogen. When PCE gets into soil and groundwater from accidental spills, it creates environmental pollution that is very expensive to clean up, the release states.
Henderson switched Wolford Cleaners to a newer, nonpolluting solvent about five years ago but PCE remains in the ground. EnviroForensics found levels under the Wolford plant that exceeded environmental guidelines, and designed an environmental remediation plan for Henderson.
Beginning in May 2014, EnviroForensics installed equipment to remove or otherwise neutralize traces of perc.
“EnviroForensics was fantastic in keeping our customer traffic flowing even when they were installing equipment. Right now, there are two small trailers in the back of our laundry, and hardly anyone notices them,” Henderson said in the release, also noting that the ground under his building is cleaner.
The trailers house equipment to continually run and monitor the cleanup, according to Calvin Kelly, EnviroForensics project manager.
“We are doing advanced engineering. The ground water and vapor intrusion readings are well in check,” he is quoted as saying.
EnviroForensics will collect and analyze new samples; distribute results to Henderson, insurance carriers for the property and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management; and recommend a completion date for the cleanup and monitoring.
Henderson hired EnviroForensics before receiving any order from IDEM, according to the release.
“I read the literature about PCE,” he said. “I knew it might be under our property so I wanted to find out. I’m very happy with EnviroForensics’ work so far; everyone is extremely professional and I would recommend them to anyone.”
Harold and Geneal Wolford opened the cleaners in the mid 1960s and sold the company to Henderson’s parents in 1978. Henderson purchased the business from his parents in 2000. Wolford Cleaners remains in its original building near the Kosciusko County Courthouse and employs nine people.
The dry cleaner’s location in a mixed commercial and residential neighborhood makes environmental cleanup critical, according to Henderson.
“I feel we are improving the health and safety in the neighborhood and protecting the value of our property,” he said.[[In-content Ad]]
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