DTSC Secures $100,800 Settlement with Dry Cleaner for Cleanup Violations

CA DTSC Newsroom

Filed March 26th, 2026

Detected March 27th, 2026

Summary

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has secured a $100,800 settlement with the former operators of Omo’s Fabricare Dry Cleaners in Richmond. The penalties are for non-compliance with a 2023 DTSC cleanup order related to tetrachloroethylene (PCE) contamination at the site.

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What changed

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has finalized a settlement with the current owners and former operators of Omo’s Fabricare Dry Cleaners, resulting in $100,800 in penalties. This enforcement action stems from the responsible parties' failure to comply with a 2023 DTSC cleanup order concerning tetrachloroethylene (PCE) contamination at the Richmond site, which has migrated to neighboring properties and poses potential health risks.

Responsible parties, including the property owner Casa Nido Partnership and former operators Catherine O’Hanks, Earl Ray Anderson, and Sandra Vernell, must now comply with the terms of the settlement and the original cleanup order. This includes investigating and addressing the full extent of the contamination, followed by the preparation of a cleanup plan for public review. Failure to comply with cleanup orders can lead to further penalties and legal action, underscoring the DTSC's commitment to environmental protection and community safety.

What to do next

Comply with the terms of the settlement and the 2023 DTSC cleanup order.
Investigate and address the full extent of PCE contamination at the site.
Prepare a cleanup plan for DTSC review and public comment.

Penalties

$100,800 in penalties

Source document (simplified)

Newsroom

We tell DTSC’s story to keep the public informed

DTSC secures more than $100,000 settlement with former Bay Area dry cleaner for cleanup violations

DATE: March 26, 2026

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The Department of Toxic Substances Control has secured $100,800 in penalties as part of a settlement with the current owners and former operators of the Omo’s Fabricare Dry Cleaners in Richmond. The penalties stem from non-compliance with a 2023 DTSC cleanup order.

CONTACT:
Media Relations Office
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SACRAMENTO – The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) announces a settlement with responsible parties of the now-closed Omo’s Fabricare Dry Cleaners to resolve violations stemming from non-compliance with a 2023 DTSC cleanup order.

The cleanup order relates to the site at 12210 San Pablo Avenue, Richmond, where there has been a release of tetrachloroethylene (PCE), a widely used chemical in historical dry-cleaning operations. PCE is known to the State of California to cause cancer. Although many dry cleaners used this chemical for decades, this use was phased out by 2023.

DTSC investigations confirmed that PCE had been released at the site and migrated to neighboring properties to the north, south, east and west. Left unaddressed, PCE vapors from polluted soil and groundwater can move into buildings, contaminate the indoor air and cause health concerns.

“DTSC takes violations of our cleanup orders very seriously. This settlement reinforces our commitment to holding responsible parties accountable and protecting communities from the lasting impacts of toxic chemicals.”

DTSC Director Katherine Butler

The dry cleaner operated on site from approximately 1959 to 2015 and used PCE from at least 1960 to 2000. The building was closed in 2015 and demolished in 2017. Since 2017, the site has been fenced and unoccupied. The 2023 cleanup order requires the responsible parties to investigate and address the full extent of contamination. After more is known, DTSC will require preparation of a cleanup plan for public review.

The settlement is the result of four recent consent orders with current property owner Casa Nido Partnership, and former dry cleaner operators Catherine O’Hanks, Earl Ray Anderson and Sandra Vernell.

FOR GENERAL INQUIRIES: Contact the Department of Toxic Substances Control to report illegal handling, discharge, or disposal of hazardous waste, or other environmental concerns using the CalEPA Environmental Complaint System.

DTSC’s Mission is to protect California’s people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products.