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Dry Cleaning

Dry-cleaning facilities use various solvents in specialized machinery to dry clean clothing. Depending on the type of solvent used, air emissions and hazardous waste generated by these businesses may be regulated by the state or EPA. The dry-cleaning sector includes businesses with NAICS codes 812310, 812320, and 812332 or SIC codes 7215, 7216, and 7218. However, all coin-operated dry-cleaning machines are exempt from the requirements of the current perchloroethylene (perc or PCE) NESHAP rule (subpart M).  

Nearly all states provide compliance-assistance calendars for dry cleaners to assist with regulatory compliance. Examples of these calendars are posted, but to find your state-specific calendar, contact your state SBEAP.  

The resources below provide air-emission regulatory detail based on the type of solvent used at a facility. Additional details related to hazardous waste management and less-toxic solvent alternatives are also provided.  

Perc dry-cleaning facilities (air quality) 

Dry-cleaning facilities using perc are strictly regulated for air emissions, hazardous waste, and spills. Perc is a hazardous air pollutant (HAP) and known carcinogen toxic to humans and the environment. The perc NESHAP was implemented in 1993 and was amended in 2006 to further reduce perc emissions and protect worker health and the environment.   Today, most dry cleaners are moving away from perc and using less-toxic alternatives. 

Special update: In December 2021, EPA proposed an additional amendment to the Perc Dry Cleaning NESHAP, which would require all existing perc dry-to-dry machines to be equipped with refrigerated condensers and carbon adsorbers as secondary control. As of June 2023, this amendment has not been finalized. Read more here. In December 2022, EPA released a final revised risk determination and found that perc, as a whole chemical substance, presents unreasonable risk to human health. Based on this determination, EPA is now writing a proposed rule to eliminate this risk to health. Additional information can be found here. 

At a minimum, perc dry cleaners must comply with the following:  

  • File an initial notification for the perc NESHAP.  
  • Use modern dry-to-dry machines equipped with a refrigerated condenser or equivalent control device.  
  • Inspect the system weekly for perc leaks, using a perc gas analyzer for this inspection at least once each month.  
  • Maintain records of perc purchases and monthly perc purchase running totals.  
  • Repair or address any air leaks within 24 hours.  
  • Manage all separator-water issues.  
  • Maintain records for at least five years.  
  • File an initial notification for the perc NESHAP.  
  • Use modern dry-to-dry machines equipped with a refrigerated condenser or equivalent control device. 
  • Inspect the system weekly for perc leaks, using a perc gas analyzer for this inspection at least once each month.  
  • Maintain records of perc purchases and monthly perc purchase running totals.  
  • Repair or address any air leaks within 24 hours.  
  • Manage all separator-water issues.  
  • Maintain records for at least five years.  

Most state SBEAPs have developed compliance-assistance calendars that help perc dry cleaners maintain these strict recordkeeping requirements based on year of machine installation and the amount of perc used annually (examples can be found here). Contact your state SBEAP for a state-specific compliance calendar. 

Petroleum dry cleaners (air quality) 

Dry-cleaning facilities that use petroleum-based solvents known under various names may or may not be subject to New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) JJJ. This regulation applies to dry cleaners using petroleum solvents if they operate a transfer machine that has a dryer capacity equal to 84 pounds or greater. A letter published by the EPA explaining applicability can be found here. Please note NSPS JJJ does not apply to closed-loop systems or systems that use a non-petroleum solvent.  

Petroleum dry cleaners with questions about these air quality standards should contact their state SBEAP.  

Alternative non-perc solvents  

Hazardous waste  

In addition to air quality standards, many dry cleaners generate hazardous waste and must follow regulations issued by the EPA under a law called the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). It regulates facilities that generate, transport, treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste. All dry cleaners must first make a hazardous waste determination to document whether or not the facility generates hazardous waste.   

Most compliance calendars featured above also contain hazardous waste compliance checklists. Additional hazardous waste or RCRA compliance resources for dry cleaners are listed below.  

State-specific resources  

Foreign language resources for dry cleaners  

Acronyms 

  • EPA: Environmental Protection Agency 
  • HAP: Hazardous Air Pollutant  
  • NAICS: North American Industry Classification System 
  • NESHAP: National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants 
  • NSPS: New Source Performance Standards 
  • SIC: Standard Industrial Classification