Regulatory Information

Dry cleaning shops must comply with multiple environmental, health, and safety regulations. The links below provide information on air and hazardous waste regulations.

Standards
Emission Standards for Dry Cleaning Facilities The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has standards for the control of perchloroethylene releases from dry cleaning facilities. This fact sheet, developed by the MPCA, is designed to help you understand these new regulations.

NESHAP (MACT Standard) for Dry Cleaning Equipment U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Code of Federal Regulations for perchloroethylene air emission standards for dry cleaning facilities.

Testing
Borrow MnTAP's halogen meter to test for perchloroethylene leaks and residuals in your machines. The equipment loan is made free of charge. Contact Cindy McComas at 612.624.4678 or e-mail Cindy. From Greater Minnesota, call 800.247.0015 and ask for Cindy.

Compliance and Clean-up
Drycleaner Fund: Environmental Response and Reimbursement Account The Minnesota Legislature, working with dry cleaners' trade associations and the MPCA, established the Drycleaner Environmental Response and Reimbursement Account (Drycleaner Fund) in 1995. It helps pay for the cleanup of soil, ground-water, or surface-water contamination at dry cleaning facilities. Most dry cleaning facilities that provided services to the general public may apply for reimbursement for investigation and cleanup work.

MPCA, Small Business Environmental Assistance Program Provides free, non-regulatory environmental assistance to small businesses. The primary focus is on compliance assistance, but there is also an emphasis on pollution prevention opportunities to get small businesses out of regulatory loop or into less burdensome regulatory process. Resources include NESHAP Log Sheets and Self-Evaluation Checklists.

Low-interest Loans to Reduce Emissions. As of March 3, 2008, thirty-nine dry cleaners have received low-interest loans from the MPCA, Small Business Environmental Assistance Program to purchase water-based cleaning machines or to upgrade their perchloroethylene machines to reduce emissions.