Stanton Cleaners Area Ground Water Contamination

Overview

Past dry cleaning operations at this Great Neck, New York site released tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichloroethene (TCE) into the groundwater, soil, and indoor air. EPA added the site to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in May 1999 after determining the contamination posed a significant threat to human health. The site sits in North Hempstead, Nassau County, and has also been known as Stanton French Cleaners Inc.

PCE is present in groundwater, soil, and air. TCE is found in soil. EPA determined both chemicals pose unacceptable risks based on the amount present and the potential effects from exposure. Early action in September 1998 included installing a soil vapor interceptor system to protect a nearby indoor tennis club and adding a soil vapor extraction (SVE) system to treat contaminated soils. Those steps brought indoor air in nearby buildings down to safe levels.

The main cleanup plan, set out in a March 1999 Record of Decision (ROD), called for upgrading a groundwater air stripper, building a groundwater extraction and treatment system, continuing SVE operations, monitoring indoor air, restricting groundwater use, and conducting long-term groundwater monitoring. Construction wrapped up in December 2003. Since then, the pump-and-treat system has processed more than 200 million gallons of contaminated groundwater. Two five-year reviews confirmed the remedy protects public health and the environment. The most recent five-year review was completed in June 2024.

Human exposure is currently under control with no unacceptable exposure pathways. Contaminated groundwater migration has been stabilized with no unacceptable discharge to surface water. The site reached sitewide ready for anticipated reuse status in March 2015, meaning all cleanup goals for current and future land uses have been met. Day-to-day operations are now managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and its contractor, who are considering optimization improvements to the SVE system. The site has not yet been deleted from the NPL.

Community members can review site records at the EPA office at 290 Broadway, 18th floor, New York, or at the Great Neck Library at 159 Bayview Avenue in Great Neck. The library's Superfund Records Center can be reached at 516-466-8055.