EPA doing cleanup in Little Chute

LITTLE CHUTE - Contaminated soil is being dug up in Little Chute. Tests show potential cancer-causing vapors turning up around the site of a former dry cleaner.

After operating for 45 years in the heart of Little Chute, Sandies Dry Cleaners shut down in 2003. But it left behind potentially cancer causing contamination.

"The chemical that was used here was a suspected carcinogen so it could cause cancer so that's why we're here doing this work," said Ramone Mendoza, the on-scene coordinator for the Environmental Protection Agency.

Crews with the EPA are digging into and removing the soil under the floor where the dry cleaning machines were used.

The chemical tetrachloroethylene, commonly used by dry cleaners, was spilled here over the years. And now the vapors from the soil and ground water make this a health hazard. And it could be spreading.

"That's part of our mission to make sure we don't have a huger problem," said Mendoza.

"We got customers here we got to worry about that," said Mark Schwingle, who works at Weenie's Still bar next door to the dry cleaners.

Testing has shown some vapors are coming through into the bar's basement.

"Through the drain system and they took care of all that. And they're sealing the wall making sure everything is good," said Schwingle.

Another concern is contamination spreading in the ground water which flows toward a neighborhood. Neighbors were just notified of the cleanup effort.

“I don't know if it will affect me or not," said Ivan Stiltjes, who live just down the street. "They've been hauling dumpsters out of here at least a half dozen of them."

"Right now we're just digging what we can and all the hot spots and taking it off site and disposing of it properly," said Mendoza.

Throughout the process vapor and dust levels are being monitored for the workers and neighbors safety.

When the excavation is complete next month, testing will continue with the hope of a clean bill of health next spring.

The EPA is picking up the tab at taxpayer expense, budgeted at $300,000.