Marianas Cleaner ordered to clean up contaminant

The CNMI Division of Environmental Quality has ordered the Marianas Cleaners to clean up trichloroethylene or TCE, a cancer-causing chemical polluting the groundwater in Susupe area.

According to a press release, the company was ordered to take action after the TCE level found in the area was more than the CNMI drinking water standard.

DEQ is currently monitoring if the clean up is being properly done by Marianas Cleaners.

Last month, a well used to supply water to the Suntex garment manufacturing facility was also discovered to have detectable levels of numerous volatile organic chemicals. TCE was at a level greater than the CNMI drinking water standard and the factory voluntarily discontinued use of its well.

DEQ immediately launched an investigation of other wells in the surrounding area. Ten wells from six facilities were sampled on Dec. 6, 1999, six of which had detectable levels of volatile organic chemicals. The most commonly found contaminant was TCE. With one exception, all concentrations found were below levels that present a risk to public health.

Findings showed that the United International Corporation (UIC), a garment manufacturing facility in San Antonio had high concentration of 230 parts per billion (ppb), exceeding the local drinking water standard of 5 ppb.

DEQ and UIC officials met on Dec. 23rd to discuss the contamination. Two months ago, the factory had discontinued use of that well for drinking purposes. Nonetheless, DEQ has issued a Notice of Violation to UIC and has requested that they post public notice within their facility to inform employees of past exposure.

Trichloroethylene is a common metal cleaning and dry cleaning fluid. It generally gets into drinking water by improper waste disposal. This chemical has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals such as rats and mice when the animals are exposed at high levels over their lifetimes. Chemicals that cause cancer in laboratory animals also may increase the risk of cancer in humans who are exposed at lower levels over long period of time.

DEQ will continue with its investigation into the Suntex and UIC groundwater contamination. Wells that have had volatile organic chemicals detected will be required to perform quarterly monitoring.

DEQ officials are inspecting facilities within the area to determine chemical usage over the last several years. If the source(s) of contamination will be determined, responsible parties will be required to clean up contaminated soil and water.