Residents surveyed on toxic clean-up at Fair-Anselm

Residents around Fair-Anselm Plaza began receiving surveys and notices from the Department of Toxic Substance Control last week. The letters notify residents of a chemical spill at the plaza in 2001, which was not properly cleaned up. Nine-hundred letters sent out by mail also include a survey asking residents about their knowledge of the spill, concerns, and willingness to be involved in community discussions surrounding the possible clean up of the spill.

(Read the letter uploaded at right.)

"Your response to this survey will help DTSC to determine the level of interest and conduct outreach activities to inform the community about the project," reads the letter, signed Wayne Hagen, Public Participation Specialist, Department of Toxic Substance Control.

The investigation is being conducted in the wake of a 2001 five-gallon spill of tetrachloroethylene (commonly known as PCE), a dry-cleaning solvent. The spill, which occurred at the Picaroto Cleaners site at the Fair-Anselm Plaza, resulted in the removal of 52 cubic yards of contaminated soil at a cost of $250,000 at the time. The clean-up was approved and certified by the county, but in October 2009 George Bianchini – the former owner of the Broadway Video next door to the dry-cleaner site – posted in his window a number of private studies he had conducted demonstrating elevated levels of PCE in the air and soil inside his business and around the property.

A determination and order issued by the Department of Substance Toxic Control on April 28 states, "an estimated four cubic yards of PCE-contaminated soil was left behind [in 2001] due to structural concerns."

Picaroto Cleaners was bought by Zachary Ki three years ago, who was given certification that the former owner had thoroughly cleaned the site. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have bought it," said Ki.

Ki also noted that he replaced all the PCE-machines and now uses non-toxic cleaners.

"But, we're the ones getting all the negative publicity," he said.

Bianchini has previously alleged in the past that he suffered numerous health problems because of the extended amounts of time he spent in the presence of PCE in the air.

The April order from DTSC outlined the possible health effects from exposure to PCE. Short-term exposure through ingestion or inhalation "may cause nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and tremors."

Bianchini abruptly closed his store in October citing health concerns, but Matthew Friedman – one of the owners of the Fair-Anselmo Plaza – has said that Bianchini defaulted on rent and was evicted. The two are currently involved in a legal battle.

DTSC is in the process of conducting a complete investigation of the site, in order to determine what type of clean-up effort may be necessary. The investigation was started in February and is expected to be completed in the next few months, said DTSC Public Information Officer Robert Palomares.

"There's a lot of moving parts," said Matthew Huang, the DTSC project coordinator, noting that the entire contaminated section is underground and difficult to access for study.

The order also notes that all responsible parties could be liable for fines of up to $25,000 for non-compliance. Although LRG Capital Group recently purchased the plaza from the Friedmans, Alexis Banducci of LRG said that they have been legally cleared and cannot be held responsible.