GRA
hosted a one-day technical and policy Symposium focusing
upon dry cleaner impacts to groundwater and indoor air.
This Symposium focused on technologies for rapid and effective
screening and subsurface characterization of former and
current operations, evaluating the extent and concerns from
vapor intrusion, and featured a wide variety of innovative
technologies for the remediation of PCE releases from dry
cleaners.
Case studies from Southern California and other dry cleaner
release sites were featured representing the gamut of challenges
dry cleaner sites pose for consultants and regulators alike.
Risks from dry cleaner releases to both drinking water and
the inhalation pathway by vapor intrusion were examined.
Panel discussions included regulators, consultants, research
scientists, attorneys, water purveyors, and dry cleaning
industry representatives.
GRA received a tremendous response to our call for papers.
We presented talks from several consulting engineering firms,
remediation specialist and agency representatives. The following
government agencies and water districts spoke on the emerging
issues related to dry cleaner release sites:
* Santa Clara Valley Water District
* Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
* Cal/EPA OEHHA
* Los Angeles RWQCB
* U.S. Geological Survey
* San Diego Department of Health Services
* Department of Toxic Substances Control
The well-documented potential for dry cleaners using perchloroethylene
to impact soil and groundwater has not been met with a commensurate
regulatory response for water quality protection. Typically,
dry cleaner releases are only discovered in the course of
Phase II investigations for property transactions, or when
PCE shows up in a nearby groundwater monitoring wells. Unfortunately,
the first indication of a dry cleaner release has too often
been the detection of PCE in water supply wells. While dry
cleaners are held to stringent regulatory standards for
air emissions, sewer discharges, and hazardous materials
handling, there are currently no California regulations
requiring ongoing monitoring of groundwater to detect releases
from dry cleaners.
Related Links:
> Symposium
Resource Binders Available for Purchase
> Symposium
Presentation Slides Available in GRA Members Area
