The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published a December 27th Federal Register notice proposing a Technology Review of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (“NESHAP”) for dry cleaning facilities using Perchloroethylene (“PCE”) as a cleaning solvent. See 86 Fed. Reg. 73207.
The proposed amendments to the NESHAP addressed the results of the Technology Review for this category in accordance with Section 112 of the Clean Air Act.
The standards in 40 CFR Part 63-Subpart M apply to industrial and commercial dry cleaning facilities that use PCE. These facilities are encompassed by the NAICS codes:
- 812310 (Coin-operated laundries and dry cleaners)
- 812320 (Dry cleaning and laundry services other than coin-operated services)
- 812332 (Industrial launderers)
This source category includes any facility engaged in cleaning soiled apparel, leather, and other fine goods. However, the source category only includes facilities that use PCE as a cleaning agent.
The proposal would amend the NESHAP for this source category that was originally promulgated in 1993.
The action is being driven to some extent by a court-ordered deadline for a proposed rule for the source category by December 1, 2021. The deadline for the final rule is December 1, 2022.
The Clean Air Act requires EPA to assess, review, and revise air toxic standards as necessary, taking into account developments and practices, processes and control technologies.
The dry cleaning facility NESHAP currently requires all new PCE dry-to-dry machines to be equipped with refrigerated condensers and carbon adsorbers as secondary controls. EPA states that based on its Technology Review of this source category it is proposing to require all new and existing PCE dry-to-dry machines to be equipped with refrigerated condensers and carbon absorbers as secondary controls.
A copy of the Federal Register notice can be downloaded here.
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