EPA Wraps Up Work to Protect People from Hazardous Conditions at 3800 Highland Ave, Niagara Falls, NY

EPA Wraps Up Work to Protect People from Hazardous Conditions at 3800 Highland Ave, Niagara Falls, NY

January 22, 2026

Niagara Falls, N.Y. - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finished removing a large stockpile of expired hand sanitizer from a warehouse at 3800 Highland Avenue, in Niagara Falls, New York. Working with state and local partners, EPA removed more than 300 tons of expired sanitizer, along with contaminated soil and debris, and shipped the material to an EPA-approved facility for proper recycling and disposal.

"Hand sanitizer is designed to protect people, but in huge quantities and in the wrong conditions, it becomes a real fire risk," said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. "Working with our state and local partners, we've eliminated that danger at this site and underscored the value of strong cleanup programs that protect local communities."

Local authorities first flagged the Highland Avenue warehouse after an inspection found extensive amounts of expired sanitizer stored in unsafe parts of the building. A follow up inspection by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) confirmed the volume of material and found evidence that some had been buried on-site. After efforts to secure cleanup by the property owner were unsuccessful, NYSDEC referred the property to EPA in late August 2025.

The 11-acre property sits immediately next to homes, schools, and churches. The site contains a network of interconnected warehouse structures dating back to the 1920s, including a non-operational fire suppression system, an added concern given the volume of flammable sanitizer stored inside.

EPA completed the removal safely and in coordination with state and local officials to minimize impacts on the surrounding community.

The hazards tied to expired sanitizer are not unique to Highland Avenue. On August 30, 2025, a fire at the Eco Operations facility in Gorham, New York, was fueled by large quantities of expired sanitizer, prompting an EPA response at the state's request. EPA is also addressing an estimated 180,000 gallons stored at a facility in Romulus, New York. Though the product seems harmless in small amounts, stockpiles of this size can create significant fire and safety risks, especially in older or poorly maintained buildings.

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