National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: National Perchloroethylene Air Emission Standards for Dry Cleaning Facilities Technology Review
Published Date: 1/7/2025
Rule
Summary
The EPA reviewed the rules for dry cleaners using perchloroethylene (PCE), a chemical that can harm the air. They decided not to change the current rules because PCE is being phased out over 10 years under a different law. Dry cleaning businesses using PCE should keep following existing rules while preparing for the phaseout, which could affect their costs and operations.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
10-Year TSCA Phaseout Timeline
A separate TSCA final rule published December 18, 2024 phases out PCE in dry cleaning over 10 years. It prohibits acquiring any dry-cleaning machine that uses PCE 180 days after publication, prohibits use of PCE in third-generation machines three years after publication, and fully prohibits PCE use in all dry cleaning and spot cleaning (including fourth- and fifth-generation machines) and the manufacture/processing/distribution of PCE for dry cleaning 10 years after publication.
Existing Equipment and Work-Practice Rules Stay
The current NESHAP requires specific controls and work practices: new major sources must operate with a refrigerated condenser and carbon adsorber and use enhanced LDAR; existing major sources must use a refrigerated condenser or carbon adsorber and enhanced LDAR; existing area sources must use a halogenated hydrocarbon detector or PCE gas analyzer monthly and repair leaks; new area sources must operate non-vented dry-to-dry machines with a refrigerated condenser and secondary carbon adsorber and use a detector.
How Facilities Are Classified (Major vs Area)
Under the current NESHAP, a dry cleaning facility is a "major source" if it emits or could emit more than 10 tons per year (tpy) of PCE, or if it uses only dry-to-dry machines and consumes more than 2,100 gallons of PCE per year, or if it includes transfer machines (or both) and consumes more than 1,800 gallons per year. Facilities below those thresholds are area sources and are subject to different requirements.
No Changes to PCE NESHAP Today
If you run a dry cleaning business that uses perchloroethylene (PCE), the EPA is not changing the current NESHAP and you must continue following the existing PCE dry cleaning rules. This final determination is effective January 7, 2024, and owners/operators should keep complying with current requirements while preparing for a separate TSCA phaseout.
Scope Estimate and No New NESHAP Costs
The EPA notes the TSCA rule estimated about 6,000 dry cleaners still use PCE. Because the EPA is not changing the NESHAP in this action, the agency states this final determination will not cause new air quality, cost, or economic impacts and certifies under the Regulatory Flexibility Act that it will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
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