Source: http://www.wsoctv.com, April 11, 2016
By: Stephanie Maxwell
A North Charlotte neighborhood is looking for answers, after an environmental report found dangerous chemicals in the ground blamed on a longtime dry cleaners nearby.
The report shows a sample taken back in 2013 found groundwater contamination traced to chemicals from American Dry Cleaners.
The report found several chemicals, including PCE, which is often used in dry cleaning.
It said the amount of chemicals exceeded groundwater standards and blamed the long-time north Charlotte business.
Owner Larry Hill said that kind of contamination stays in the ground for years and did not happen on his watch.
“This building has been here since 1955, or the ’50s, and there’s been several cleaners that have been here. Since we’ve owned it, we’ve had to comply with all the rules and regulations,” Hill said.
Exposure to PCE alone can cause damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system plus an increased risk of cancer.
Hill is getting help from North Carolina’s Dry Cleaning Solvent Clean-Up program to protect the neighborhood and ease fears.
“If there’s any risk to the community, they come out and clean up and remediate.  They do all the things they need to do make sure things are safe,” he said.
That’s what long-time neighbor Daisy Davis wants so she doesn’t have to worrying about being exposed to anything dangerous.
“I do feel that if it’s something like that, it should be taken care of,” she said.
Environmental leaders and neighbors plan to discuss the report and what the next steps are for the community’s safety at 7 p.m. at Jesus Christ Gospel Church at 208 Plymouth Avenue.