This page last reviewed December 22, 2009

Dry Cleaning Program

Background:

In 1991, the Air Resources Board (the Board or ARB) identified Perchoroethylene (Perc) as a toxic air contaminant (TAC) under California's Toxic Air Contaminant Identification and Control Program (Health and Safety Code section 39650 et. seq.). As a result of its identification, the ARB was required to prepare a report on the need to control Perc and adopt appropriate measures. On October 14, 1993, the Board adopted the Airborne Toxic Control Measure for Emissions of Perc from Dry Cleaning Operations (Dry Cleaning ATCM) and the Environmental Training Program for Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning Operations (Environmental Training Program). The Dry Cleaning ATCM sets forth the equipment, operations and maintenance, recordkeeping, and reporting requirements for Perc dry cleaning operations. The Environmental Training Program sets forth the criteria for the ARB to approve instructors to train dry cleaning operators on the proper maintenance and operation practices for their Perc dry cleaning equipment.

In 2003, staff began an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Dry Cleaning ATCM. The evaluation showed that although Perc emissions from dry cleaning operations have been reduced by about 70 percent, more could be done to reduce Perc emissions from this source category.

At its public hearing on January 25, 2007, the Board approved amendments to the Dry Cleaning ATCM and the adoption of requirements for Perc manufacturers and distributors. The amendments will over time phase out the use of Perc dry cleaning machines and related equipment by January 1, 2023. In addition, the amendments will put in place revisions to the Curriculum for the Environmental Training Program for Perc Dry Cleaning Operations (Training Curriculum). On December 27, 2007, the approved Dry Cleaning ATCM and the requirements for Perc manufacturers and distributors became state law. The major requirements of the amended Dry Cleaning ATCM are summarized in the March 2007 fact sheet entitled, Amended Dry Cleaning ATCM Requirements. Changes to the Training Curriculum are summarized in the March 2007 Advisory Notice entitled, Amendments to the Environmental Training Program Curriculum for Perc Dry Cleaning Operations.

This site contains information related to California's dry cleaning regulations. If you have a question concerning one of the aspects of dry cleaning in California, please refer to the Contact List for the appropriate ARB staff person. If you would like to be notified of news related to the dry cleaning program, please subscribe to the dry cleaning e-mail list server.

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What's New?

November 2009

• A Dry Cleaning Notice (2009-2) is now available providing owners and operators of dry cleaning facilities with updated information on the available alternative dry cleaning solvents which are being used in California  [English] [Korean] [Spanish] (Added December 1, 2009) 

October 2009

• A Dry Cleaning Notice (2009-1) is now available informing owners and operators of the upcoming compliance requirements under the statewide Perc Dry Cleaning ATCM.  [English] [Korean] [Spanish] (Added October 8, 2009) 

February 2009

• A recent petition from the Ko-Am Cleaners Association of California requesting that the Air Resources Board (ARB) evaluate the appropriateness of the Dry Cleaning ATCM and the ARB response are available for download.
  (Added February 19, 2009)

April 2008

• A fact sheet on Dry Cleaning Alternative Solvents is now available [English][Korean]

March 2008

• A regulatory advisory for Perc Manufacturers and Distributors is now available
  (Added March 20, 2008)

February 2008

• OEHHA’s evaluation of health information on Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, also known as D5, the solvent used in GreenEarth^®, ARB’s letter to local districts concerning the results, industry comments to the evaluation, and OEHHA's response to the comments are available.
  (Added February 8, 2008)

January 2008

• A regulatory advisory for the Dry Cleaning ATCM is now available [English] [Korean]
  (Added January 22, 2008)
• The Office of Administrative Law has approved the amendments to the Dry Cleaning ATCM and filed it with the Secretary of State on December 27, 2007.  As a result, the amendments to the Dry Cleaning ATCM and the requirements for Perc manufacturers and distributers became State law on that date. 
  (Added January 2, 2008)

March 2007

• The 15-Day "Notice of Public Availability of Modified Text and Supporting Documents and Information for the Amendments to the Control Measure for Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning Operations and Adoption of Requirements for Manufacturers and Distributors of Perchloroethylene" is now available.
  (Added March 20, 2007)
• The Korean version of the Amended Dry Cleaning ATCM Requirements Fact Sheet is now available.
  (Added March 20, 2007)
• A fact sheet for the Amended Dry Cleaning ATCM Requirements is available.
  (Added March 07, 2007)
• An advisory notice for the Amendments to the Environmental Training Program Curriculum for Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning Operations is available.
  (Added March 06, 2007)

December 2006

• The Korean version of the following rulemaking documents: the Hearing Notice, the Executive Summary of the Staff Report, and the proposed Regulation Order, is now available on the Rulemaking website.
  (Added December 21, 2006)
• The rulemaking website to consider amendments to the control measure for perchloroethylene dry cleaning operations is now available
  (Added December 8, 2006)

September 2006

• Agenda and Staff Presentation for the September 19th Dry Cleaning ATCM Workshop are now available.
  (Added September 18, 2006)
• Draft Regulatory Language for the September 19th Dry Cleaning ATCM Workshop is now available.
  (Added September 15, 2006)

August 2006

• Dry Cleaning ATCM Public Workshop on September 19th
  (Added August 28, 2006)

June 2006

• An advisory notice for the proposed rulemaking to amend the Airborne Toxic Control Measure for Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning Operations is now available
  (Added June 26, 2006)

May 2006

• The Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning ATCM Executive Summary (Initial Statement of Reasons) and Proposed Regulation Order (Appendix A) are now available in Korean
  (Added May 5, 2006)

April 2006

• The rulemaking website to consider amendments to the control measure for perchloroethylene dry cleaning operations is now available
  (Added April 7, 2006)

March 2006

• The 2006 Non-Toxic Dry Cleaning Incentive Program Guidelines and Grant Application for the California Dry Cleaning Industry are now available
  (Added March 20, 2006)
• Draft Regulatory Language for the March 16th Dry Cleaning ATCM Public Workshop is now available
  (Added March 13, 2006)
• Dry Cleaning ATCM Public Workshop on March 16th
  (Added March 2, 2006)

February 2006

• The final California Dry Cleaning Industry Technical Assessment Report is available for download
  (Added February 10, 2006)

January 2006

• Dry Cleaning ATCM Public Workshop on February 8th & 9th
  (Added January 20, 2006)