Any dry cleaning facility that installs a "new" machine
must install a dry-to-dry machine with a refrigerated condenser. In
addition, facilities that purchase large quantities of perc (over
1.800 gallons annually) are required to use a carbon adsorber with
a refrigerated condenser on the new dry-to-dry machine.
"New" transfer machines that use perc cannot be installed. New
carbon adsorbers cannot be used without a refrigerated con-
denser for required perc vapor recovery.
Existing State or local requirements that may have affected you
prior to the new EPA regulation continue to apply. The new EPA
regulation is the minimum emission control that is required nation-
ally. Some State and local agencies do require stricter controls.
All perc dry cleaners must comply with the pollution prevention
requirements in the EPA regulation now.
By June 18, 1994, each facility must submit a report to EPA
stating how it is complying with the EPA pollution prevention
requirements. Forms are available to help with this report. All
new facilities must comply upon start-up with all requirements
and submit a compliance report within 30 days after start-up.
This compliance report is submitted to EPA one time: it is not
required annually. However, a report must be submitted to EPA
whenever any facility undergoes a change, such as an increase
in the amount of perc purchased annually or the purchase of
new equipment.
Perc vapor recovery systems (refrigerated condensers and car-
bon adsorbers) are not required until September 22. 1996, for
"existing" machines: however, all "new" machines must be
equipped with these systems upon start-up.
Rrefngerated condensers must cool the perc vapor in the
machine down to 45 degrees Fahrenheit or less at the end of the
dry cleaning cycle. Any carbon adsorbers must not release
more than 100 parts per million of perc out of the stack. The car-
bon adsorber test is performed with a colorimetric (chemical)
test kit. available through dry cleaning trade associations and
vendors. The carbon adsorber test is not required for "existing"
machines until September 22, 1996. However, if a facility
chooses to submit a compliance report to EPA before 1996, it
is required to start testing immediately. For facilities that use
carbon adsorbers for control requirement compliance, the test is
required weekly.
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The cost of compliance will vary from dry cleaner to dry cleaner.
Some pollution prevention or "good housekeeping" practices, such
as repairing leaks, could be relatively inexpensive or even result in a
savings by recovering perc that otherwise would have been lost.
The average price to purchase a refrigerated condenser is $6,000 to
$8,000. Installation may add $1,000 to $2,000 to this cost. The esti-
mated average yearly cost for operating a refrigerated condenser is
$460.
Depending on the total volume of clothes cleaned using a
refrigerated condenser, the annual costs could be less expensive or
could result in a cost savings by recovering perc that otherwise
would have been lost.
The EPA is divided into ten geographic regions. Please call the
Regional Office where your State or territory resides for reporting
forms and the address where forms should be sent.
10
American Samoa. & Guam
AK. ID. WA, and OR
(206)553-1949
For more information, you can also contact your State or
local air pollution control agency, your local, regional or
national dry cleaning trade association, or your State small
business assistance program.
ft U S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1994—530-367
United States EPA 453/F-94-025
Environmental Protection May 1994
Agency
Office of Air Quality Planning & Standards (MD-10)
&EPA New Regulation
Controlling
Emissions
From Dry Cleaners
Region
1
2
3
4
5
6
-
8
9
States
CT. ME. MA, NH. RI.& VT
NJ, Puerto Rico, & Virgin Islands
NY
DE, MD, PA, VA, WV,
& District of Columbia
AL, FL. GA. KY, MS,
NC.SC, &TN
IL& IN
Ml & Wl
MN&OH
AR. LA. NM, OK, & TX
IA. KS.MI.&NE
CO, MT. ND. SD. UT, &WY
AZ. CA. HI, NV,
Region
(617)565-2734
(212)264-6819
(212)264-6679
(215)597-3237
(404) 347-2864
(312)353-8651
(312)886-5031
(312)886-7017
(214)655-7547
(913)551-7922
(303)293-1886
(415) 744-1251
Printed on recycled paper
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EPA's New Regulation Controlling Emissions from Dry Cleaners
In September 1993, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) issued national regulations
to control air emissions of per-
chloroethylene from dry cleaners. The regulation
appeared in the September 22, 1993, edition of
the Federal Register [volume 58, beginning on
page 49354]. The regulation affects all dry
cleaners who use perchloroethylene — about
30,000 dry cleaners nationally.
The Clean Air Act (CAA), reauthorized by Congress in 1990.
directs EPA to regulate emissions of 189 toxic chemicals, includ-
ing perchloroethylene. commonly referred to as "perc." from a
wide range of industrial sources. EPA is regulating emissions of
perc from dry cleaners to meet the requirements of the CAA
Congress included perc on its list of CAA toxic chemicals to be
regulated because it is suspected to cause cancer in humans
and is considered toxic, and causes dizziness, nausea, and
headaches.
Dry cleaners are the largest source of perc emissions in the
United States. Since dry cleaners are located in many communi-
ties throughout the country, perc emissions from dry cleaners
are often released in close proximity to large numbers of people.
EPA estimates that full compliance with its new regulation will
result in a reduction of 7,300 tons of perc into the air
annually.
The regulation affects all dry cleaners who use perc in both
transfer and dry-to-dry machines. How you are affected
depends on the type of machinery you use and the
amount of perc you purchase each year
The regulation requires all perc dry cleaners, regardless of size.
to undertake the following "poi il ;eps:
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a.
Inspect all dry cleaning equipment at least every other week
for leaks that are obvious from sight, smell, or touch. For
example, leaks are where drops of perc are visible on the
outside of a machine or where a stream of air can be felt
coming from a machine. Larger dry cleaners (those required
to install control equipment under the
regulation) must inspect equipment
every week. All leaks must be
repaired
Keep a log of the leak detection and
repair program results.
Follow good housekeeping practices.
which include (1) keeping all perc
and wastes containing perc in cov-
ered containers with no leaks. (2)
draining cartridge filters in closed
containers, and (3) keeping machine
doors shut when clothing is not being transferred.
Operate and maintain all dry cleaning equipment according
to manufacturers' instructions.
Keep a log of the amount of perc purchased for the past 12
months. (At any time, know how much perc was purchased
during the previous 12-rnonth period.)
December 9, 1991, is an important date under the regula-
tion. In determining how a facility may be affected, it is important
to know when your perc dry cleaning machines were installed.
DRY CLEANING MACHINES INSTALLED BEFORE
DECEMBER 9, 1991, ARE CONSIDERED "EXISTING;" ANY
BRAND NEW MACHINES INSTALLED ON OR AFTER
DECEMBER 9, 1991, ARE CONSIDERED "NEW." Please
note that any dry cleaning machine or facility that was originally
installed before December 9, 1991. and that has undergone either a
transfer of ownership or a change of location is considered "exist-
ing." If a machine or facility has changed ownership, it is important
that records are maintained to prove that installation occurred before
December 9, 1991.
All "new" dry cleaning machines must be equipped with at least a
refrigerated condenser used as a perc vapor recovery system. At
larger dry cleaners, "existing" dry cleaning machines must be
equipped with a refrigerated condenser (or a carbon adsorber if it
was in place before September 22. 1993).
Facilities that exceed certain levels for perc
purchases are considered "large" dry cleaners and
must install perc vapor recovery systems on each
"existing" machine.
TYPE OF
MACHINE
Transfer
machines only
PURCHASE
AMOUNTS OF
PERC*
200 or more
gallons/year
REQUIRED
CONTROL
Refrigerated
condensers or
existing carbon
adsorber"
Dry-to-dry
machines only
Combination of
dry-to-dry and
transfer machines
140 or more
gallons/year
140 or more
gallons/year
Same as above
Same as above
Usage is based on the total amount of perc purchased at a facility
location for all perc machines for the previous twelve months.
Adsorbers in place before September 22, 1993. can be used.
"Small" dry cleaners purchase perc in amounts below the
levels in the following table. "Small" dry cleaners do
not need to install perc vapor recovery systems
on "existing" machines.
TYPE OF MACHINE
PURCHASE AMOUNTS
OF PERC*
Transfer machines only
Dry-to-dry machines only
Dry-to-dry and transfer
machines
Less than 200 gallons/year
Less than 140 gallons/year
Less than 140 gallons/year
' Usage is based on the total amount of perc purchased at a facility
location for all perc machines for the previous twelve months.
A dry cleaning facility that (1) has a transfer machine and
(2) purchases over 1,800 gallons per year of perc must
install a room enclosure around each transfer machine and vent the
room enclosure to a carbon adsorber. Room enclosures cannot be
vented to refrigerated condensers.
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