Enthalpy Provides Analytical Services for Community Impacted by Decommissioned Dry Cleaning Site

Opportunity

Enthalpy Analytical was engaged by Geosyntec, Inc., a consulting and engineering firm that specializes in complex problems involving the environment, natural resources, and civil infrastructure, to provide analytical services to assist the property owners in preparing for the potential cleanup and materials management of this Brownfields Program site (formerly a large dry cleaning facility) in advance of development or new construction being started on the site.

Another vendor was initially involved in the first phase of this project, but they provided analytic data late, with numerous H-qualifies and dilutions – ultimately impeding the project.  Enthalpy was brought in to get the project back on target, and track

Challenge

This project involved the analysis component for the ongoing cleanup of a closed dry cleaning facility, ensuring that the air, water and soil wasn’t contaminated, thereby reducing the risk to the community, and helping to drive the overall safe redevelopment of the site.

Although testing for other compounds, the main exposure concern at this site was Perchloroethylene (PCE) a chlorinated solvent used in dry cleaning industry. This chemical is much less frequently used in the industry now, but it’s persistence in the environment makes it a significant groundwater and air pollutant. PCE exposure can cause damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system, plus an increased risk of cancer.

Conscious of the existing delays to the project, and being mindful of the client budget, Enthalpy developed a plan to get the project back on track and providing actionable data.

Solution

Despite not being involved in the initial project phase, Enthalpy was able to quickly develop a plan of action. Within 48-72 hours, Enthalpy mobilized rapidly, assembling an order of 250 terra-core kits on short notice and conducted in-situ pre-characterization of select soils to satisfy Contained-In-Policy characterization requirements and develop a Soil Management and Disposal Plan. Soil samples were collected on a 10 foot grid at 1 foot intervals and samples were processed on schedule – meeting Geosyntec’s expected reporting limits without dilutions or other issues. Due to the timeline of this effort the Enthalpy project team stayed in constant contact with the client to provide continuous updates.