IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR DRY CLEANERS
In December 2024, EPA issued a final rule regulating Perchloroethylene (PCE). The rule bans many uses of PCE and establishes workplace controls, including a Workplace Chemical Protection Program and prescriptive controls, for those uses not prohibited. This final rule is effective on January 17, 2025.
EPA has set a 10-year phaseout for the use of PCE in dry cleaning to eliminate the risk to people who work or spend considerable time at dry cleaning facilities. Use of PCE in newly acquired dry-cleaning machines is prohibited after 6 months. Compliance dates for machines that are already owned vary depending on the type of the dry-cleaning machine used, with older types of machines being phased out sooner than newer ones. Many dry cleaners have already begun this transition. This timeline is unchanged from the proposed rule.
Final risk management rule for PCE.
For current information on these changes, click here:
https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/risk-management-perchloroethylene-pce
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Dry cleaners are facilities engaged in the cleaning of fabrics in a nonaqueous solvent by means of one or more washes in a solvent, extraction of excess solvent by spinning, and drying by tumbling in an airstream. Such facilities include dry to dry machines, filter and purification systems; emission control equipment; waste disposal systems; holding tanks; pumps and attendant piping and valves.
Dry cleaning facilities utilizing the solvent perchloroethylene, or perc, which is considered an air toxic or hazardous pollutant, are eligible to operate in Florida under the terms of an air general permit (AGP) pursuant to the requirements of Rule 62-210.310(5)(f), Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
An AGP is an authorization by rule to construct or operate a specific type of air pollutant emitting facility. Use of such authorization by any individual facility does not require action by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The terms and conditions of an AGP are set forth in the rule, rather than in a separately issued air construction or air operation permit.
Dry cleaners that use only petroleum based cleaning solvents may qualify for an exemption under Rule 62-210.300(3)(a)(25), F.A.C., provided the solvent consumption is less than 3,250 gallons per year.
Registration
You can register, renew, change ownership or make administrative corrections to AGPs online.
If you do not wish to use AGPERS, you can optionally download and complete the following worksheet and mail it to DEP at the address indicated in the worksheet instructions along with the $100 processing fee.
Compliance Assistance Information
For more information on AGPs or assistance with using AGPERS, please contact DEP’s Small Business Environmental Assistance Program at 1-800-722-7457.
For questions related to compliance procedures such as test notifications, report submittals, record keeping, inspections, etc., please contact the compliance authority specific to the county where your facility is located. If it’s located in Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach Pinellas or Sarasota counties, visit our Local Program Air Contacts page. For all other counties, go to our District Air Contacts page.
