The federal Clean Air Act, reauthorized by Congress in 1990, placed a greater emphasis on controlling hazardous air pollutants than prior laws.
Dry cleaners are the largest source of perc emissions in the country.
Often, dry cleaners are located near residential areas and release perc emissions in close proximity to many people. Because perc is a suspected human carcinogen, it was the first air toxic to receive attention after reauthorization of the Clean Air Act. EPA estimates that full compliance with the new regulation will result in the nationwide reduction of 7,300 tons of perc into our air annually. While EPA initially enforced this regulation, Pennsylvania DEP assumed the enforcement role on Oct. 1, 1999. To prepare for this new responsibility, the regional Air Quality program used college interns last summer to conduct a survey of the 26 dry cleaners using perc in the region's 14 counties.