Dry cleaners may use a variety of cleaning methods, all of which are subject to environmental regulations. If a dry cleaner uses enough solvent, petroleum-based dry cleaners may be regulated for air emissions and for proper disposal of waste. Wet cleaning may be regulated because of the large quantity of water used and disposed. All processes may be regulated if pollutants go down the drain.
Perchloroethylene (PCE or Perc)
Many dry cleaners use a solvent called perchloroethylene, also known as perc. Perc is a hazardous air pollutant, or HAP. Like other dry cleaning methods, perc can cause health problems. Perc dry cleaners are regulated to ensure proper disposal of waste and to minimize the amount of solvent released into the air.
Air Pollution Regulations
Perc dry cleaners must have certain types of equipment, check for leaks, keep the equipment running properly and record their maintenance activities. Though it is rare, a perc dry cleaner may need a permit if it generates enough air pollution. Various groups have written publications and provided ways to document the requirements.
- Code of Federal Regulations, 40 C.F.R. Part 63 Subpart M
- Dry Cleaning Facilities: National Perchloroethylene Air Emission Standards - EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule under the federal Toxic Substances Control Act, to address the unreasonable risk of injury to health presented by perc under its conditions of use. The final rule, 40 C.F.R. Part 751 Subpart G, became effective Jan. 17, 2025, and includes a ban for most uses of perchloroethylene, including as a solvent for the dry cleaning industry. Older dry cleaning machines are required to stop using perchloroethylene or switch to alternate solvents within three years of finalizing the final rule [Dec. 20, 2027]. According to the final rule, newer dry cleaning machines with more emission control equipment and related spot cleaning associated with the newer machines, could have until Dec. 19, 2034, to stop using perchloroethylene. A link to the final rule published in the Federal Register is provided below.
Perc Alternatives
Alternatives to perc include silicone-based solvents, petroleum-based solvents, wet cleaning and the use of carbon dioxide in the cleaning process. The following table provides information on these alternatives.
| Damage or wear on garments | Environmental characteristics | Safety characteristics | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicone-based solvent | Light to moderate wear | Appears environmentally safe | Has not been tested for health effects over long time span |
| Petroleum-based solvent | Light to moderate wear | Less toxic than perc | May be a fire hazard |
| Wet cleaning | Moderate to severe wear | Large amounts of contaminated water | Comes with fewer safety hazards than perc |
| Carbon dioxide | Light wear | Non-toxic | Requires high-pressure operation |
Petroleum-based Solvents
Air Pollution
Federal regulation 40 C.F.R. Part 60 Subpart JJJ regulates facilities with total dryer capacity greater than 84 pounds, where the equipment was constructed or modified after Dec. 14, 1982.
Small Quantity Generators
Dry cleaners that are registered with the department as a small quantity generator of hazardous waste are required to file a Generator’s Hazardous Waste Summary Report each year by Aug. 14. For more information, please visit Hazardous Waste Reporting.
Brownfields/ Voluntary Cleanup Program
If you have a release from a drycleaner that impacts the environment and you want to cleanup the contamination to standards acceptable to the state, the department's Brownfields/ Voluntary Cleanup Program can provide oversight on the investigation and cleanup. Property owners can receive a cleanup certification from the department, which can greatly reduce the environmental liability associated with these properties. For more information, visit Brownfields/ Voluntary Cleanup.
Additional Information
- Dry Cleaners and The Clean Air Act - PUB2201
- Dry Cleaning Compliance Calendar - PUB1310
- Risk and Technology Review of the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants - Proposed EPA perchloroethylene dry cleaning (Major & Area Sources) technology review
- Assessment of Alternatives to Perchloroethylene for the Dry Cleaning Industry - Toxics Use Reduction Institute, University of Massachusetts Lowell