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Site Report: VIP Cleaners

Site Name: VIP Cleaners
Address: 510 Old Steese Highway, Fairbanks, AK 99701
File Number: 102.38.173
Hazard ID: 26475
Status: Active
Staff: Axl LeVan, 9074512156 axl.levan@alaska.gov
Latitude: 64.850192
Longitude: -147.699862
Horizontal Datum:WGS84

We make every effort to ensure the data presented here is accurate based on the best available information currently on file with DEC. It is therefore subject to change as new information becomes available. We recommend contacting the assigned project staff prior to making decisions based on this information.

Problems/Comments

Suspected release of PCE from waste storage location (containing tetrachloroethene (PCE) sludge and contaminated lint) located in the back of the facility, just hydrologically up-gradient from the Bentley Mall East Satellite Building contaminant plume (also from a former dry cleaner with a known source area - releases to floor drains and sewer line). A single soil boring, and soil gas data collected during 2003 also indicated elevated levels of PCE near the rear service door of VIP Cleaners, and to a lesser extent from the crawl space beneath VIP Cleaners, although it was unclear if a release had occurred at this time. A spike in PCE in groundwater was observed during 2010 and subsequent years in monitoring well MW-1 (located between VIP Cleaners and the Bentley Mall East Satellite Building). Isotopic analysis conducted during 2014 of PCE from MW-1 suggests it originated from a different source than what is in the down-gradient portions of the plume), and indicates a release may have happened at the VIP Cleaners. Additional investigations occurred during 2017 to 2019, at the property boundary between Bentley Mall East Satellite and VIP Cleaners that included advancement of soil borings, a new monitoring well installation (MW-1R), additional isotopic chemistry of groundwater contaminants, and fluorescein dye release to evaluate groundwater movement. Soil borings indicate a recent of PCE to surface soils, and concentrations of PCE have again increased in the well (MW-1R) located between BMES and VIP Cleaners (from 159 ug/L to 1,980 ug/L). There were also additional chlorinated solvents in groundwater samples collected from well MW-1R, including 1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane and 1,2-dichlorethane. The isotopic chemical analysis of PCE in monitoring well MW-1R suggests it is different from PCE in monitoring wells located hydrologically further downgradient, and suggests an additional release of PCE has occurred since 2014.

Action Information

Action Date Action Description DEC Staff
12/4/2002 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Potentially Responsible Party letter sent to Chil No, VIP Cleaners, Inc. (cross-reference file no. 100.38.166). Larry Johnson
2/28/2013 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Potentially Responsible Party letter sent to Chil Nae No, Major VIP Cleaners, Inc. Jim Fish
4/3/2014 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Potentially Responsible Party letter sent to Hoi Jin Chung, VIP Cleaners, Inc. Jim Fish
11/4/2015 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter Potentially Responsible Party letter sent to Hoi Jin Chung, VIP Cleaners, Inc. Jim Fish
11/13/2015 Meeting or Teleconference Held Met with Charlie Lee (VIP Dry Cleaner Operator) to discuss PRP letters, use of PCE, and DEC request for site investigation. Mr. Lee indicated no release occurred at the site, but he would follow-up with getting an environmental professional for site investigations. He also indicated he was discontinuing use of PCE and transitioning to a petroleum-based cleaner. Jim Fish
12/4/2015 Site Added to Database A new site has been added to the database Mitzi Read
12/16/2019 Update or Other Action A letter was sent on this date requesting property access to collect samples for the Fairbanks dry cleaners Preliminary Assessment and Site Investigation project. Rebekah Reams
7/20/2021 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter A PRP Letter and request for site investigation was sent to VIP Cleaners, Inc. owners and operators on this day. Recent reports and information from Bentley Mall East Satellite investigations was included. Jim Fish
10/13/2021 Update or Other Action Demand Letter sent today from Department of Law to RP requesting additional information about PCE use by November 5th, and a site investigation work plan by December 15th. Jim Fish
11/1/2021 Update or Other Action Received notice from Dept. of Law that Demand Letter was "Returned to Sender." Jim Fish
11/17/2021 Potentially Responsible Party/State Interest Letter A new State Interest/Potentially Responsible Party letter was sent to the current owner/operator of Suzy's VIP CLeaners. Jim Fish
4/16/2024 Update or Other Action Previous PRP correspondences were sent to the current VIP Cleaners business operator Jim Fish
8/12/2024 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Work Plan for release investigation received from Alaska Resources and Environmental Services (ARES) Jim Fish
8/15/2024 Site Characterization Workplan Approved Approved revised work plan. The investigation will include deployment and analyses of Beacon™ passive soil gas samplers, soil screening with AQR Color-Tec® chlorinated compound screening analyses and discrete soil sampling for analytical analyses to determine if releases of tetrachloroethylene have occurred on the property. The investigation will also include deployment of Radiello™ Passive Analytical Air Samplers to evaluate vapor intrusion risks. Jim Fish
1/16/2025 Update or Other Action Draft data from 2024 site assessment received from consultant. Report is anticipated for February 2025. Jim Fish
3/13/2025 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other Received 2024 Release Investigation Report from consultant Jim Fish
4/30/2025 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed and approved the VIP Cleaners 2024 Release Investigation Report. The report summarizes the findings of the PCE Release Investigation at VIP Cleaners. Characterization activities at the site included analysis of soil gas, field screening of surface soils for chlorinated solvents, analytical testing of surface soils, and analytical analysis of indoor air. Axl LeVan
5/13/2025 Meeting or Teleconference Held DEC held a meeting regarding next steps at VIP Cleaners. Discussion focused primarily on the vapor intrusion pathway. Axl LeVan
7/17/2025 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed and provided comments on the VIP Cleaners work plan for a vapor extraction system. Axl LeVan
7/18/2025 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed and approved "VIP Cleaners, Vapor Extraction System and Indoor Air Monitoring Work Plan, 510 Old Steese Highway, Fairbanks, Alaska". All DEC comments from 7/17/25 were addressed by the contractor. Axl LeVan
8/8/2025 Site Visit DEC performed a site visit along with contractors to review the installation of a Vapor Extraction System in the crawlspace of the building. DEC review included a determination of air flow and initial start up of the system. Axl LeVan
12/18/2025 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed and approved the VIP Cleaners Fall 2025 Air Sampling Report. The document outlined the sampling event which included passive air sampling in VIP Cleaners and the adjacent buildings. Results indicated that the vapor extraction system in the crawlspace is functioning to remove chlorinated solvents. Further sampling is planned for January 2026. Axl LeVan
2/20/2026 Document, Report, or Work plan Review - other DEC reviewed and provided comments on the VIP Cleaners Winter 2026 Indoor Air Sampling Report. Axl LeVan

Contaminant Information

Name Level Description Media Comments

Control Type

Type Details

Requirements

Description Details
Hazard ID Site Name File Number
4033 Bentley Mall East Satellite 102.38.122
27833 ADOT&PF College Road Right of Way Areawide 100.38.305

Missing Location Data

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State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

P.O. Box 111800
Juneau, AK 99811-1800
Phone: 907-465-5066
Fax: 907-465-5245
TDD: 800-770-8973
Physical Location: 410 Willoughby