The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday that a former dry cleaning facility in Albuquerque has been added to the federal Superfund National Priorities List, marking it as one of the nation’s most serious hazardous waste sites requiring cleanup.
The Carlisle Village Cleaners site, which operated from 1953 to 1975, has been designated for priority cleanup due to contamination from two toxic chemicals commonly used in dry cleaning operations that can migrate through soil and affect indoor air quality in nearby buildings.
The site’s inclusion on the NPL comes at the request of the New Mexico Environment Department and will unlock additional federal resources and funding for comprehensive cleanup efforts. Several single-family and multi-family residences are located around the contaminated site, along with various commercial properties.
Since 2022, EPA and state environmental officials have been conducting indoor air sampling and installing air purifying units to protect residents from potential chemical exposure. The agencies have identified 15 residential properties that will receive Vapor Intrusion Mitigation Systems and 6 commercial buildings that will get soil vapor extraction systems installed below ground level.
Installation of both residential and commercial mitigation systems is scheduled to begin later this year.
“Today’s action by EPA is an important step in protecting the community surrounding the Carlisle Village Cleaners site from exposure to hazardous chemicals,” said Regional Administrator Scott Mason. “By adding the site to the National Priorities List, at the request of the New Mexico Environment Department, we are committing to working with the state to clean up this site and restore both environmental and economic vitality to the area.”
The Carlisle Village Cleaners site was one of three locations added to the Superfund list nationwide. The NPL designation guides EPA in prioritizing cleanup efforts at sites with the most serious environmental contamination.
The action supports EPA’s broader initiative to ensure hazardous sites are cleaned up while fostering economic growth in affected communities. Superfund sites often see increased property values and economic development following successful remediation efforts.
The toxic chemicals are known human carcinogens that can cause various health problems, including liver damage, kidney problems and central nervous system effects. The chemicals’ ability to travel through soil and enter buildings through vapor intrusion makes them particularly concerning for nearby residents and workers.