Air Pollution Control Program
Division of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
United States
Air Pollution Control Program
fact sheetDivision of Environmental Quality
Director: Kyra MooreMany dry-cleaning businesses use a solvent called perchloroethylene, or perc, which is a hazardous air pollutant. Perc can cause health problems, such as neurological, liver and kidney damage. This publication concerns dry cleaners that use perc and whenever the term dry cleaner is used it means dry cleaners using perc.
Dry cleaners are required to meet the requirements in 40 C.F.R. Part 63 Subpart M (referred to as Subpart M in this fact sheet). If they have the potential to generate enough air pollution, they may be required to have an air pollution permit.
Notice! There is a proposed federal rule change, 88 FR 39652, June 16, 2023, that includes a ban for many uses of perchloroethylene, including as a solvent for the dry cleaning industry. Older dry cleaning machines may have to stop using perchloroethylene or switch to alternate solvents within three years once the proposed federal rule is finalized. Newer machines with more emission control equipment may have up to 10 years, as proposed, to stop using perchloroethylene. Please note that this proposed rule is not yet final as of May 2024. It is expected that the final rule will be published in the Federal Register sometime during the 2024 calendar year.
All facilities need to notify the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Air Pollution Control Program that they meet the Subpart M requirements within 30 days of starting operations. Fill out the Dry Cleaner Notification of Compliance Status form and mail a copy to the Air Pollution Control Program address provided on the form. You will also need to mail a copy to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is in addition to the notification requirements on the department's Hazardous Waste Compliance and Assistance webpage.
EPA has divided perc dry-cleaning facilities into three classifications; small area sources, large area sources and major sources. There are different requirements for each of the classifications, based on how much perc the facility purchases in 12 months.
Facilities with: | Small Area Source | Large Area Source | Major Source |
---|---|---|---|
Only Dry-to-Dry machines | Purchase less than 140 gallons per year | Purchase 140 to 2,100 gallons per year | Purchase more than 2,100 gallons per year |
There are federal rules and regulations, issued by EPA, that perc dry cleaning facilities must follow to remain in compliance. The current Subpart M regulations include but are not limited to the following requirements:
Note: Small area source dry cleaners with no construction or reconstruction before Dec. 9, 1991, are not required to perform the monthly leak detection with a halogenated hydrocarbon leak detector, or perc gas analyzer.
Within 30 days of operation, operators of an active dry cleaning facility are required to register with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Hazardous Waste Program, as outlined in 10 CSR 25-17.030. Each active dry-cleaning facility is required to pay an annual registration surcharge based on the number of gallons of chlorinated solvents used during the calendar year, as outlined in 10 CSR 25-17.030. Submitting the Dry Cleaner Registration form and surcharge before April 1 of the calendar year will satisfy these requirements.
Nothing in this document may be used to implement any enforcement action or levy any penalty unless promulgated by rule under chapter 536 or authorized by statute.
Division of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 176
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176
United States