News

Toxic chemicals detected at former Richmond dry cleaner

Linda Hemmila

Dec 22, 2023 — 1 min read

A former dry cleaner at 2022 Barrett Avenue in Richmond is raising concerns over high levels of toxic chemicals detected.

High levels of toxic chemicals have been identified at a former dry cleaner in Richmond, causing health officials to install monitors and consider evacuating residents if chemicals are detected above safety levels.

This week, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control contacted Contra Costa County and city health officials, alerting them to recent tests that showed an alarming amount of hazardous chemicals at the site located at 2022 Barett Avenue.

The Discovery and Enforcement (D&E) Program is part of the Cleanup in Vulnerable Communities Initiative (CVCI) to protect the health of vulnerable communities. This new site discovery program will focus on sites containing dry-cleaning chemicals that have been released into the environment and could affect our communities.

According to the DTSC, there are 112 concerning locations in California that require testing for the presence of hazardous chemicals, including five more locations in Richmond.

The report shows six concerning chemicals found at the location, one of which is identified as Trichloroethylene also known as TCE, which, according to test samples, was pegged at 793,000 micrograms per cubic meter, well above known safe levels of 24 micrograms per cubic meter.

This story is currently evolving, check back for updates.

Become a paid Grandview Supporter to help us deliver more stories about Richmond. Grandview is an independent, journalist-run publication exclusively covering Richmond, CA. Copyright © 2023 Grandview Independent, all rights reserved.

On the Richmond Burrito Trail: 23rd Street’s El Mexicano Deli y Taqueria

On 23rd Street, El Mexicano Deli y Taqueria delivers a heavyweight contender: the Super Carnitas Burrito. This neighborhood spot caters to hearty appetites with a burrito so packed with pork, rice, and beans that it’s a struggle to conquer. In the middle of the day, the cars whizzing by

Richmond Planning Commission rejects 37th Street emergency shelter proposal

The Richmond Planning Commission has rejected a proposal to convert an office building into an emergency shelter, citing safety, parking, and community compatibility concerns. The unanimous decision at Thursday's meeting marked the culmination of months of heated debate over the project's impact on the surrounding neighborhood.

Historic Richmond bricks free to good home

Brickyard Landing Owners Association will offer historic Richmond-made bricks to Richmond non-profits and civic organizations at an event slated for January. The bricks are what's left of the historic chimney and kiln, which were once part of the Richmond Pressed Brick Company, which had to be demolished for

Victim struck with rifle during attempted robbery on Chanslor Avenue

A man was injured Wednesday night on Chanslor Avenue after being reportedly struck in the head with a rifle during an attempted robbery, police said. According to Richmond Police Department Public Information Officer Lynnelle Sanchez, officers responded to two ShotSpotter activations around 8:58 p.m.: one near Espee Avenue

Read more

On the Richmond Burrito Trail: 23rd Street’s El Mexicano Deli y Taqueria

Richmond Planning Commission rejects 37th Street emergency shelter proposal

Historic Richmond bricks free to good home

Victim struck with rifle during attempted robbery on Chanslor Avenue