Dry cleaners are part of a group of smaller sources of pollution known as area sources — smaller activities by businesses or facilities that, when measured across a group of sites, can accumulate to large amounts of pollution impacting Delaware’s air quality.

What is Regulated?

Perchloroethylene

Emissions from Dry Cleaners using Perchloroethylene (Perc) are regulated because it has been identified by the EPA as a Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAP). Regulation of facilities using Perc as a dry cleaning solvent is provided under 7 DE Admin. Code, 1138, Section 5.

Petroleum Solvents

Emissions from dry cleaners using petroleum solvents are regulated under Section 38 of 7 DE Admin. Code, 1124.

Other Solvents

Emissions from Dry Cleaners using other solvents are regulated under 7 DE Admin. Code, 1102.

What is Required?

No Action Required

Those facilities which use petroleum solvents (or other non-Perc solvents) and emit less than 0.2 pounds per day of any air pollutant are exempt from regulatory control. This status must be supported by record-keeping.

Registration

Those facilities which use petroleum solvents (or other non-Perc solvents) and emit 0.2 pounds per day or more, but less than 10 pounds per day are required to register their pollution-causing equipment. Accurate, detailed record-keeping is required to establish and maintain this status. Completion of the Registration Worksheet is required.

Permits

Those facilities using Perc as a dry cleaning solvent are required to apply for and receive a Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaner Source Category Permit. For permit conditions and additional information please see the permit example.

Note: A Delaware Environmental Application Background Statement must be completed and submitted with permit applications.

Related Topics:  air quality, air quality permits, area sources, clean air, dry cleaners, permitting and regulation, registrations