A DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA

AIR

Dry Cleaners

Dry Cleaners Compliance Calendar 2022

Related industries:

  • Any dry cleaning operation, captive or public that uses perchloroethylene or petroleum solvent.

PERCHLOROETHYLENE (PERC)

Regulations in a nutshell:

Dry cleaning facilities that use perchloroethylene (perc) as a solvent must comply with the federal and state regulations.  Federal and state laws governing dry cleaners require the use of certain types of dry cleaning equipment and specific waste management practices.  Air, hazardous waste, and wastewater regulations apply to dry cleaners.

Current regulations that apply to perc dry cleaning facilities:

  • 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart M (40 CFR 63.320-326) for Perc dry cleaners.
  • Federal hazardous waste generator requirements are found in 40 CFR part 262.
  • The law prohibits the discharge of solvent contaminated wastewater from dry cleaning machines to any sanitary sewer, septic system, or state waters without a permit or local sewer district authority.
  • May also need HW-1 for hazardous waste disposal and Tier II, for Community Right to Know.

Final Rule:

Reporting and Recordkeeping:

All dry cleaners must keep records of their monthly perc purchases, monitoring activities, and leak detection & repair program.  Note, these records must be kept at your facility for a period of five years.  The following record keeping items are required:

  • Date and amount of perc purchases
  • Refrigerated condenser outlet temperature log 
  • Leak detection inspection log, including a log for tracking leak repair activities

If a dry cleaner uses 140 gallons or more of PERC per year, then all machines must be checked weekly for leaks and record the results.  If a dry cleaners uses less than 140 gallons of PERC per year, then leak inspections must be conducted and recorded at least every other week.  

Other reporting includes:

  • New facilities Initial Notification Report and Compliance Report due prior to start-up.
  • Note, the LDEQ Small Business Assistance Program issues a Dry Cleaner Compliance Calendar to aid in meeting the record keeping requirements and in complying with the regulations.

 

PETROLEUM SOLVENTS

Regulations in a nutshell:

If the total manufacturer's rated installed dryer capacity is less than 38 kilograms (84 pounds), the proposed new, modified, or reconstructed dry cleaning equipment is exempt.

Current Regulations that Apply to Petroleum Solvent Dry Cleaning Facilities:

  • New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) 40 CFR Subpart JJJ, 60.620-625 Standards of Performance for Petroleum Dry Cleaners. 
  • May also need HW-1 for hazardous waste disposal and Tier II, for Community Right to Know.

Reporting and Record Keeping:

  • None, see Subpart JJJ if applicable. 

Important Dates:

  • None

Housekeeping Requirements for All Dry Cleaning Facilities:

  • Conduct a weekly leak detection and repair program to inspect all dry cleaning equipment for leaks that are obvious from sight, smell or touch. NOTE: this program is required every other week if you are NOT REQUIRED TO INSTALL CONTROLS.
  • Repair leaks within 24 hours after they are found or order repair parts within 2 working days after detecting a leak that needs repair parts. Install repair parts by 5 working days after they are received.
    Keep a log of the weekly (or biweekly) results of the leak detection and repair program.
  • Follow good housekeeping practices, which include keeping all solvent and waste containing solvent in covered containers with no leaks, draining cartridge filters in closed containers, and keeping machine doors shut when clothing is not being transferred.
  • Operate and maintain all dry cleaning equipment according to manufacturers' instructions.

Pollution Prevention Suggestions For All Dry Cleaners:

  • Open machine doors only to transfer cloths.
  • Keep all containers that contain solvent in any form (liquid or filter cartridge) tightly sealed.
  • Develop a spill prevention program.