Maryland Square residents warned of solvent spill vapors

State environmental officials are warning residents near the Boulevard Mall they could be exposed to a harmful chemical released by a nearby dry cleaning company.

Tests by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection discovered that a former Al Phillips the Cleaners business on Maryland Parkway near Twain Avenue had released perchloroethylene, or PCE, into the shallow groundwater system.

PCE is a solvent, or degreaser, used by dry cleaners to clean fabrics and is also found in some household products, according to the environmental mailer sent to more than 150 residents in the Maryland Square neighborhood just east of the Boulevard Mall.

The chemical isn't in the drinking water, and state environmental officials said there is no immediate or long-term health risk.

But residents may be exposed to vapors from the PCE-contaminated water.

Residents in the neighborhood are encouraged to call 809-1453 to schedule a meeting with NDEP representatives, who could later schedule a date to test the air in homes that could be at risk.

If vapors are found in homes, a system can be installed that would seal cracks in the floors and disperse underground vapors.

Local schools in the area are not believed to be affected, but the agency will test the air in the schools.

The NDEP will require the cleaners to clean up the contamination of the shallow groundwater, which could take between five to 10 years to complete.

Officials were first notified of the contamination in November 2000 via the agency's spill reporting hot line, according to the letter sent to neighborhood residents.

Since then, tests were conducted to determine the extent and location of the contamination, which officials initially believed to be in a southeast direction from the site. It ended up flowing in an easterly direction.

The cleaners has been closed since 2000. The exact date of the PCE release is unknown.