DTSC Orders Emergency Cleanup of Toxic Contamination

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DTSC Orders Emergency Cleanup at San Diego Residential Site

February 12, 2026

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The California Department of Toxic Substances Control is taking enforcement action to require the immediate cleanup of toxic chemical contamination impacting a residential community in San Diego.

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SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has issued an Imminent and Substantial Endangerment and Remedial Action Order to Magellan Aerospace, Middletown, Inc. and Market Creek Plaza LLC, requiring immediate cleanup of trichloroethylene (TCE) contamination near the former Fleet Aerospace Langley Facility in San Diego.

Recent testing found elevated levels of TCE, a toxic chemical historically used in aerospace manufacturing, in indoor air and soil vapor at the Market Creek Plaza and an adjacent residential complex. TCE was detected in indoor air at levels up to eight times higher than the health screening level. TCE can enter homes through cracks in foundations, a process called vapor intrusion, and poses serious health risks, including cancer and reproductive harm.

“DTSC will not tolerate delays when contamination threatens residential communities,” said DTSC Director Katherine Butler.” This enforcement action ensures the responsible parties take prompt and meaningful action to investigate, clean up, and protect public health and the environment.”

Under California law, the Order requires responsible parties to:

• Deploy immediate vapor mitigation measures at nearby residential complexes, including air treatment units and ventilation improvements
• Conduct indoor air sampling and evaluate results
• Investigate and clean up contaminated soil, soil vapor, and groundwater
• Prevent further migration of contamination Failure to comply could result in penalties of up to $25,000 per day. DTSC retains authority to issue stop-work orders, require additional actions, and impose penalties.

DTSC has notified local agencies and is overseeing remediation efforts at Market Creek Plaza. To keep workers and customers safe. DTSC will also oversee the cleanup required by the Order to protect residents and workers at the adjacent residential complex called Euclid Apartments.

Magellan has 15 days to respond to this order and initiate cleanup actions. More information can be found in DTSC database, Envirostor.

Background

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a toxic chemical that can cause cancer and harm the immune and reproductive systems. It was found at high levels in soil vapor and indoor air inside the Food 4 Less grocery store and in indoor air at a nearby residential complex. In June 2024, DTSC issued a Proposition 65 warning for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the Food 4 Less store.

The contamination comes from past aerospace manufacturing at the site. From the 1950s to the early 1990s, Fleet Aerospace operated at what is now Market Creek Plaza, using chemicals like TCE. The facility closed in the 1990s, and the property was redeveloped into a shopping center in 2000. At that time, tests showed chemical levels were below health standards, and no further cleanup was required.

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.

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