The regulation affects all dry cleaners who use perchloroethylene - about 30,000 dry cleaners nationally. Congress included perc on its list of CAA toxic chemicals to be regulated because it is suspected to cause cancer in humans and is considered toxic, and causes dizziness, nausea, and headaches.
Dry cleaners are the largest source of perc emissions in the United States.
Since dry cleaners are located in many communities throughout the country, perc emissions from dry cleaners are often released in close proximity to large numbers of people. EPA estimates that full compliance with its new regulation will result in a reduction of 7,300 tons of perc into the air annually . How you are affected depends on the type of machinery you use and the amount of perc you purchase each year . For example, leaks are where drops of perc are visible on the outside of a machine or where a stream of air can be felt coming from a machine. All leaks must be repaired.