EPA in Michigan

Armen Cleaners Ann Arbor Site

Site Update - Dec. 2, 2016

In early November, EPA sampled the indoor air of five properties surrounding Armen Cleaners in Ann Arbor, Mich., for tetrachloroethylene (PCE) contamination in residential homes. Results from the sampling determined that the basement of one property, the apartment building next to the dry cleaner, did exceed the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services standards for PCE contamination. EPA and the Washtenaw County Public Health Department met with each resident of the apartment building and provided information about the contaminant. WCPH, in conjunction with guidelines from MDHHS, made the determination that temporary relocation was not mandatory, but was offered as a voluntary measure in an abundance of caution to protect public health. Currently, all residents declined temporary housing.

Based on sample results, the basement was the only floor to have an exceedance, which contains only a washer and dryer for the complex. EPA has asked the owner of the building to temporarily seal off access to the basement until EPA can complete the installation of mitigation systems to keep the apartment complex safe. EPA began mitigation work immediately and will continue to work until a permanent mitigation system is in place. EPA will continue to work with MDHHS and WCPH to keep residents up to date.

EPA became recently involved at the site after MDHHS and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality requested assistance to assess a potential PCE vapor intrusion issue.

Location of Armen Cleaners in Ann Arbor, Mich. (click to enlarge)