Elevated levels of trichloroethylene (TCE) are present in soil, soil vapor, and groundwater around this site in New Hope. The 1983 removal of an underground wastewater storage tank revealed that it was corroded, causing a release of TCE.
Electronic Industries Inc. operated a circuit board manufacturing and metal plating business at the site from 1965 to 1987. After the release was discovered in 1983, the company conducted investigation and response actions. To address the TCE release, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) directed Electronic Industries to conduct groundwater sampling, groundwater pump-and-treat, soil vapor extraction, and air sparging to force air into the contamination to volatilize, capture, and treat the contamination.
In 1993, the city of New Hope determined the site was hazardous to the public, condemned the property, and demolished the buildings. The city redrew lot lines, combining three parcels, including the site, into two. The city redeveloped the property for commercial use in 2006 and installed soil vapor extraction systems in the site buildings, which have operated continuously since 2006. Electronic Industries relocated to Vadnais Heights where it operated until 2017.
In 2024, Electronic Industries reported that it had dissolved and could not complete the work the MPCA requires to protect human health and the environment.
The MPCA announced plans to add the site to the Minnesota Permanent List of Priorities (PLP). Adding this site to the PLP allows MPCA to continue evaluation and cleanup work at the site.
Provide comments
We invite you to comment on the proposed listing of the Electronic Industries site on the Minnesota Permanent List of Priorities (PLP). Comment period ends Jan. 15, 2026.
Health and environmental concerns
Vapor intrusion, or the movement of contaminated soil vapors into indoor air, is a health concern at the site that is being addressed with a soil vapor extraction system. The possible adverse health effects from breathing TCE depend on the amount in air and how long people are exposed. For more information regarding health risks and vapor intrusion, visit the Minnesota Department of Health website.
The risk of direct groundwater exposure through wells is unknown. Residents of New Hope receive municipal drinking water from the city of Minneapolis, where surface water is used for drinking water. Exposure to TCE can adversely affect the immune, reproductive, liver, kidney, and central nervous systems. TCE is mainly used as a solvent in manufacturing to clean metal parts and to make other industrial chemicals.
Location
The site is located at 7516 42nd Ave. N., New Hope. Two commercial buildings currently occupy the site.
Our role
When the site is added to the Minnesota PLP, MPCA staff will determine the extent of the contamination in soil, soil vapor, and groundwater, upgrade the pump-and-treat system, evaluate alternative cleanup approaches, evaluate long-term strategies for the site, monitor groundwater, and assess vapor intrusion risk to nearby buildings.