Dry Cleaning Facilities
| This section of our website was developed to assist owners and operators of Dry Cleaning facilities understand the regulations
of perchloroethylene or “PERC”, the dominant chemical solvent used in dry cleaning. |
PERC is a toxic chemical and a suspected carcinogen with both environmental and human health concerns. Dry Cleaning
facility owners should strive to provide the safest environment for workers and a clean environment around the facility
(land, air, and water). To learn more,
see OSHA’s Reducing Worker Exposure to PERC in Dry Cleaning. Dry Cleaning facilities using
PERC are subject to Federal rules called the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). Compliance
with these Federal rules and regulations governing the dry cleaning industry will reduce exposure of workers and customers
to PERC. It will also save the owners money since proper maintenance and preventing leaks and spills leaves more PERC to be
reused in the machines.
Dry cleaning facilities in Forsyth County using PERC must register their facilities with the Environmental Affairs Department.
Print a registration form.
Print the instructions for completing a registration form.
In Forsyth County, the Forsyth County Environmental Affairs Department (FCEAD) inspects Dry Cleaning facilities for
compliance with NESHAP, air quality rules required under the Federal Clean Air Act. The Dry Cleaning Solvent Cleanup Act (DSCA) program, operated by the State of North Carolina’s Division of
Waste Management, inspects Dry Cleaning facilities for compliance with waste management rules and housekeeping requirements
under the DSCA program. In accordance with Federal obligations, FCEAD issues notices of violations and civil penalties to
facilities that are not in compliance with NESHAP. Occasionally, FCEAD will operate joint inspections with agents from the
DSCA program. This has allowed FCEAD agents to become more familiar with State waste management and DSCA requirements. When
schedules or frequency of inspections do not allow for joint inspections, waste management and DSCA related problems will be
directed to the State should our inspectors find them during annual air quality inspections.
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