PERC Dry Cleaners
To further protect human health from air contaminants, in July 2006 new rules from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) go into effect for all dry cleaners that use the solvent perchloroethylene (perc).
Existing dry cleaners, those installed on or after December 9, 1991 and before December 21, 2005, must be in compliance with the new standards by July 28, 2008. Key new requirements include the following items below.
Monthly Leak Inspections.* Monthly inspections for vapor leaks using a halogenated hydrocarbon detector or perc gas analyzer (such as a photo ionization detector or ‘PID’) are required, while the machine is operating. This monthly inspection shall satisfy one of the weekly inspections (by sight, smell, touch) for perceptible leaks. A halogenated hydrocarbon detector is a portable device capable of detecting vapor concentrations of perc of 25 parts per million by volume (ppmv) and indicating a concentration of 25 ppmv or greater by emitting an audible or visual signal that varies as the concentration changes.
Notification Compliance Status: Each owner or operator of a dry cleaning facility is required to submit a notification of compliance status to Benton Clean Air before July 28, 2008. The forms were mailed to all dry cleaners in February of 2008.
For more information on the rule, please use the below resources:
- 40 CFR Part 63 National Perchloroethylene Air Emission Standards for Dry Cleaning Facilities; Final Rule
- Dry Cleaner Brochure
- Dry Cleaner Fact Sheet
- Benton Clean Air Dry Cleaner Information Sheet
- Notification Compliance Status Form
