Elliott Tire Center

The Elliott Tire Center is a part of the Yakima Railroad Area (YRRA). The Yakima Railroad Area is approximately six square miles in size and includes parts of the cities of Yakima and Union Gap. The Yakima Railroad Area groundwater is contaminated with tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC) from past industrial use, and is centered around the railroad/industrial corridor of the greater Yakima area.

PCE is a manufactured chemical that is widely used for dry cleaning of fabrics and for metal-degreasing. It is also used to make other chemicals and is used in some consumer products.

Exposure to PCE can be from the air, chemical use, soil, or water. PCE can affect the kidneys, liver, nervous system, and reproductive system, as well as unborn children. There is also an increased risk of certain types of cancer.

More information about potential sources of PCE and associated health risks can be found on the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) website.

The Elliot Tire Center site is a tire retailer and automotive repair shop located in Yakima. During an environmental site assessment conducted in 1995, samples at the site indicated the presence of tetrachloroethene (PCE), and gasoline and diesel-range petroleum hydrocarbon contamination.

In 2000, the site was added to Ecology’s Hazardous Sites List with a ranking of “5”. Sites on the Hazardous Sites List are a priority for Ecology, and have completed a Site Hazard Assessment (SHA). A SHA provides information about the environmental risk of the site. Risk is based on the amount of contaminants, how toxic they are, and how easily they can come in contact with people and the environment. Sites are ranked relative to each other on a scale of “1” to “5”; with a rank of “5” being the lowest.

In 1996, cleanup activities were completed and soil sampling confirmed that PCE had successfully been removed. Two underground gasoline storage tanks and two contaminated drywells were also excavated and removed.  

Groundwater sampling revealed petroleum contamination. A quarterly groundwater sampling plan was implemented. This quarterly groundwater sampling effort was concluded on February 1997, when results showed that petroleum concentrations were below detection limits.

As a result of the remedial efforts and recording of the restrictive covenant, Ecology determined that the site no longer poses a threat to human health or the environment. In October 2001, Ecology entered into a consent decree for resolution of liability. The site was removed from the Hazardous Sites List in October 2001.

Periodic reviews are conducted every 5 years by Ecology for sites that have institutional controls. The review is intended to examine the effectiveness of cleanup activities and to assure the continued protection of human health and the environment.

Periodic review results

Based upon a site visits conducted in 2008, 2013, and 2019, the building and asphalt cover at the site continue to eliminate exposure pathways to contaminated soils. The asphalt appears in relatively poor condition, with significant cracking; however, it still provides a sufficient barrier to direct contact exposure with contaminated soils. The site is still operating as a tire service and automotive repair business. 
 
The cleanup actions completed at the site appear to be protective of human health and the environment. 

Soil cleanup levels have not been met at the site; however, the cleanup action is determined to comply with cleanup standards under WAC 173-340-740(6)(f), since the long-term integrity of the containment system is ensured and the requirements for containment technologies have been met.

The covenant for the property is in place and will be effective in protecting public health and the environment from exposure to hazardous substances and protecting the integrity of the cleanup action.