Category: Environmental

Reaching Into The Past to Pay

Posted on by Jeff Carnahan

Today’s Environmental Compliance Costs: Insurance Archeology for the Laundry Industry

Written by David A. O’Neill, J.D., Director of Investigations, PolicyFind
Published in Laundry Today Jan 2009

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An increasing number of laundries are striving to heighten their ‘green consciousness.’ Many go above and beyond what is necessary for them to maintain environmentally correct facilities. But sometimes, even with the best intentions, a facility can find itself on the wrong side of compliance based upon the actions of companies who previously operated on the land where they are currently located. Continue reading “Reaching Into The Past to Pay”

Selecting A Remedial Technology

Posted on by shenshaw

Written by Steve Henshaw, P.G., President and CEO, Enviroforensics

As seen in the January 2009 issue of Western Cleaner & Launderer

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Selecting a remedial technology could be the most important decision you could make.  So how does one go about selecting a cleanup approach and what factors come into play?  The effectiveness of any cleanup technology is dependant on the chemicals being remediated (petroleum or perchloroethylene), the chemical concentrations, the geologic or stratigraphic setting of the Site, the depth to groundwater and whether or not groundwater is impacted and will need to be remediated.  If anyone tells you that they can cleanup contamination without knowing the specifics of the site, be very cautious of that individual. Continue reading “Selecting A Remedial Technology”

Vapor Intrusion – What is it and How Can it Effect Me?

Posted on by shenshaw

Written by Steve Henshaw, P.G., President and CEO of EnviroForensics

As seen in the November 2008 issue of Western Cleaner & Launderer

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What is It?

Vapor intrusion is the migration of volatile chemicals, primarily volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) from the subsurface into overlying buildings. Vapor intrusion requires three components: a source, an inhabited building, and a pathway from the source to the inhabitants.

Over the past few years, vapor intrusion has become a significant environmental issue, one that may have a direct impact on your dry cleaning operation.  In fact, just last spring,  the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the association responsible for creating the procedures and standards for conducting due diligence for banks lending and financing on real property, has suggested that vapor intrusion issues be considered when loaning on real property.   That is to say, is it likely that vapors are coming off of contaminated soil and groundwater that may migrate underneath buildings and enter basements, crawl spaces and confined spaces and rooms.    Figure 1 is an example of a situation where vapors could enter a commercial or residential building. Continue reading “Vapor Intrusion – What is it and How Can it Effect Me?”

Finding Funds for Clean Up

Posted on by shenshaw

Insurance Coverage and State Funds
Published in Fabricare July/August 2008

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With more than 25 years of experience, Stephen Henshaw, President of EnviroForensics®, a national environmental engineering firm specializing in remediation for drycleaners, says that drycleaners in states with or without cleanup funds have viable solutions for finding dollars for cleanup from historical insurance policies. EnviroForensics® operates a customer service department for drycleaners at 1-866-888-7911 with offices nationwide. Continue reading “Finding Funds for Clean Up”

Dry Cleaners Find Toxins on Property

Posted on by Jeff Carnahan

Written By Mercedes Rodriguez
As Published in The Herald-Times July 13, 2008

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Steve Arthur, owner of Bloomington Cleaners, recently had his business crawling with tiny backhoes and excavators, with workmen tearing up the concrete, all to remove a dangerous chemical from the property.

Arthur closed up the dry cleaning business he has owned since 1992 the week of June 30, and had 120 tons of soil contaminated by perchloroethylene—known as perc—trucked away. “Part of it was being a good citizen, and part of it is protecting the value of the property,” Arthur said.

The building on West 17th Street has been a dry cleaners for more than 35 years, Arthur said, and years ago some dry cleaning chemicals could have leaked from old machinery or been spilled. Continue reading “Dry Cleaners Find Toxins on Property”