Commercial cleaning of garments is primarily done by dry cleaning methods that use a non-aqueous solvent. Two cleaning solvents have dominated the dry cleaning industry -- perchloroethylene and hydrocarbon solvent. However, several alternative cleaning processes and solvents have emerged that include, but not limited to: high flash point petroleum solvent, carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile methyl siloxane (D5), propylene glycol ether, n-propyl bromide, and water-based cleaning system such as professional wet cleaning.
Perchloroethylene (perc) is the most widely used cleaning solvent in commercial dry cleaning because of its physical and chemical properties. In 1991, however, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) identified perc as a toxic air contaminant (TAC) associated with environmental and human health risks. In the same year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) added perc in the Section 112 Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP) list. Then in 1996, the U.S. EPA removed perchloroethylene from the definition of volatile organic compound (VOC), thus classifying perc as an exempt compound. Notwithstanding its status as an exempt solvent, perc dry cleaning facilities are still regulated because of their potential adverse health effects.
In December of 2007, CARB amended the Dry Cleaning ATCM to:
Prohibit the installation of new Perc dry cleaning machines beginning on January 1, 2008
Eliminate the use of existing Perc machines at co-residential facilities (facilities that share a wall with, or are located in the same building, as a residence) by July 1, 2010
Require that converted machines, and machines that are 15 years or older, be removed from service by July 1, 2010.
Require that all Perc machines be removed from service once they become 15 years old (as a result, all remaining Perc machines must be removed from service by January 1, 2023); and
Who Needs a Permit?
- Any new or existing dry cleaning operation that uses perchloroethylene, stoddard, or any other cleaner containing VOCs or toxic air contaminants.
- Any dry cleaning operation that will emit toxic air pollutants or VOCs at levels greater than or equal to 2 pounds in any 24 hour period.
- Each dry cleaning machine will be permitted individually (one permit per machine).
- Examples of exempt cleaning agents (do not require a permit): Carbon Dioxide
(CO2), volatile methyl siloxane (D5), and water-based cleaning systems.
Permit Fees
All permit fees are based on District Rule 301.
When applying for a permit through Online Services, the appropriate Permit Fee schedule will be automatically determined based upon the selection of the General Equipment Description. If you wish to see what the fees are for new equipment prior to applying, please use Schedule 9 in the Permit Fee Schedule to determine the initial application fee. A permit is required for each individual dry cleaning machine and therefore a separate fee will be assessed for each unit.
For
questions regarding the application fee, please email permitting@airquality.org or
call 279-207-1122.
How to Apply for a Permit
All permit applications must be completed and submitted electronically through the Online Services customer portal.
When applying for a permit through Online Services, the equipment must be categorized by both a General and Specific description. The following categories may be selected when applying for Dry Cleaning Operations:
Dry Cleaning Unit
| N-Propyl Bromide Petroleum Propylene Glycol Ether
|
Permit applications must be completed and submitted electronically through the Online Services portal. All applications must be submitted with the appropriate fee in order to be processed. Application fees may be paid directly through the Online Services portal. Pay the application fee when you submit your application for fastest processing time. Applications submitted without payment will be cancelled if payment is not received within two weeks of submitting the application.
To contact Permitting staff please call 279-207-1122 or email permitting@airquality.org.
