Environmental due diligence revealed soil and groundwater contamination from the drycleaner’s historical drycleaning operations. The vapor intrusion assessment indicated the PCE contamination was contributing to documented indoor air impacts at the adjacent tenant space. The drycleaner was on the hook to assess the nature and extent of PCE contamination in the soil and groundwater and to clean it up.
EnviroForensics completed a survey to identify the sources of the emanating vapors. Once the sources were confirmed, a remediation system was put in place to mitigate the indoor air impacts at the adjacent tenant space. The next round of indoor air sampling proved that the remediation system was effective in mitigating the vapor intrusion concerns. A remediation work plan was developed to clean up soil and groundwater impacts, reduce the long-term monitoring activities, and bring the site to closure.
EnviroForensics provided an effective environmental remediation solution. The cost of the vapor mitigation work was approved and funded by the property owner’s insurance carriers, which means the drycleaner, who was also the property owner, did not have to pay for the services out-of-pocket.
The leading supplier of rental uniforms in the United States had experienced significant growth acquiring numerous uniform laundering and drycleaning companies. In acquiring these companies, the uniform supply company inherited long-tail environmental liabilities. Environmental agencies in 18 states had issued cleanup directives at some 40 sites. The uniform supply company wished to monetize the insurance policies of the companies they acquired to help pay for the long-tail environmental liabilities.
PolicyFind conducted insurance archeology to locate and reconstruct the policies issued to the numerous companies acquired and absorbed. For 25 of these acquisitions, PolicyFind documented the historical insurance programs. At the same time, EnviroForensics analyzed the environmental data for each site to determine the combined cleanup costs to address liabilities, which totaled nearly $50 million. With that information, the historical insurance policies could be sold back to the insurance companies for cash. Together, PolicyFind and EnviroForensics collaborated with the uniform supply company’s legal team to effect a policy buyback that brought tens of millions of dollars to the company to offset their environmental liabilities.
A drycleaner originally went through the state’s Drycleaner Environmental Response Fund to clean up their PCE contamination. After spending roughly $250,000 out-of-pocket and experiencing years-long delays in reimbursement, the drycleaner called EnviroForensics.
EnviroForensics conducted insurance archeology, found coverage for the drycleaner, and tendered the carrier, who took over payment for the work.
EnviroForensics conducted an additional environmental investigation, which uncovered both soil contamination and vapor intrusion. An excavation of the contaminated soil was performed, and approximately 670 tons of soil and 400 pounds of PCE were removed.
Ongoing site work facilitated the sale of the property. Redevelopment plans are underway for reuse as a commercial office building.
