Brian Barton
Dry cleaning establishments are a source of pollution, especially in urban settings. The main mechanism through which contaminants are introduced into the environment from dry cleaners is through leakage and spills of dry cleaning solvents or process wastes. These solvents are toxic, mobile in the environment, and resistant to degradation, which means that chemical pollution may persist for decades. The contamination may pose serious health risks to shop employees, customers, and the community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Environmental contamination | Soil and groundwater contamination due to leaks and spills of dry cleaning solvents and process wastes |
| Regulatory standards | Only a few parts per billion (ppb) of dry cleaning solvent allowed in soil or groundwater |
| Contamination impact | A small amount of solvent can contaminate significant volumes of soil or water |
| Remediation costs | Contaminated sites can require hundreds of thousands of dollars to correct |
| Health risks | Toxic chemicals can pose serious health risks and may affect shop employees, customers, and the community |
| Hazardous air pollutants | Emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) |
| Solvent usage | Perchloroethylene, petroleum solvents, and chlorinated solvents are commonly used |
| PERC health effects | Central nervous system depression, liver and kidney damage, respiratory and skin irritation |
| Regulatory compliance | Federal, state, local, and Tribal regulations limit emissions; non-compliance can lead to dangerous releases of HAPs |
| Alternative chemicals | Safer alternatives to PCE are available and expected to replace it |
| Environmental liability | Dry cleaners are a leading source of environmental liability at commercial retail properties |
| Contamination sources | Leaks, spills, and wastewater discharges to sewers and septic systems |
| Contaminants | Cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, Vinyl chloride, 1,1,1- trichloroethane, 1,4-dioxane |
| Pollution prevention | Programs and regulations exist to prevent and address dry cleaning pollution |
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What You'll Learn
Leaks and spills of dry-cleaning solvents
PCE and TCE are often stored in tanks or drums at dry cleaning facilities, and these tanks may leak, resulting in discharges to the soil and, ultimately, groundwater. Groundwater contaminated by dry cleaning chemicals can travel short or long distances and may impact homes, businesses, and water supplies. Even small amounts of these chemicals can contaminate vast amounts of groundwater and drinking water, and the contamination can be very difficult to remove. For example, 1 ounce of PCE released directly into water can contaminate nearly 2.5 million gallons of water above regulatory concentrations.
In addition to groundwater contamination, leaks and spills of dry-cleaning solvents can also result in soil contamination. This can occur when solvents are stored outside of dry cleaning plants and leak, or when small drips of solvent occur on the floors inside the dry cleaning operation. The contaminated soil can then impact nearby water sources.
The contamination from dry-cleaning solvent leaks and spills can pose serious health risks to individuals and businesses in the vicinity. Chlorinated solvents like PCE and TCE can cause serious illness if they are released into drinking water supplies or emitted into the air. Vapor intrusion occurs when these solvents become gaseous, rise from beneath the ground, and are released through cracks in the foundation of buildings, contaminating indoor air and exposing people to harmful chemicals.
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Soil and groundwater contamination
The compounds used in dry cleaning, such as perchloroethylene (PCE), petroleum solvents, and other chlorinated solvents, are highly toxic and resistant to environmental degradation. Even a few teaspoons of these solvents can contaminate significant amounts of soil or water. For example, 1 ounce of PCE released directly into water can contaminate nearly 2.5 million gallons of water above regulatory concentrations. The toxic nature of these compounds poses serious health risks to nearby residents, including central nervous system depression, damage to the liver and kidneys, and irritation of the respiratory system and skin.
Historic dry cleaning operations further contribute to the problem. Past practices used significantly more solvents, and the equipment used often resulted in numerous spills and leaks. These spills and leaks can contaminate the soil and groundwater, and the contaminants can migrate considerable distances, affecting residences, schools, and other sensitive areas. The remediation costs for contaminated dry cleaner sites can be substantial, and the contamination can be challenging to remediate due to the volatility and resistance to degradation of the contaminants.
To address soil and groundwater contamination from dry cleaning operations, several states have established dry cleaner programs to fund investigations and remediation efforts. However, these programs may not adequately prioritize sites based on the potential risk to drinking water sources and vapor intrusion. Additionally, while modern equipment and preventive measures have reduced accidental spills and leaks, the legacy of past dry cleaning activities continues to impact the environment.
To mitigate soil and groundwater contamination, containment measures are crucial. These measures should be implemented around all areas where dry cleaning solvents are used or stored, as well as any waste that has come into contact with these solvents. By installing proper containment systems, spills and leaks can be prevented from leaving the dry cleaning facility, reducing the potential for environmental contamination.
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Toxic tort liability
Dry cleaning establishments are a source of pollution, and their contamination of the environment can lead to toxic tort liability. Dry cleaning businesses, or those who purchase a building formerly used as a dry cleaning business, may be held liable for cleaning up contamination caused by toxic chemicals. These businesses often operate in densely populated areas, and the toxic chemicals they use can contaminate the soil, water, and air, leading to serious health risks for residents and workers.
The main contaminants associated with dry cleaning activities are volatile halogenated organic compounds, including PCE (also known as PERC) and its degradation products, such as cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene (cis-1,2-DCE) and trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (trans-1,2-DCE). These chemicals are toxic and can cause serious health issues, including various types of cancer, damage to the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, immune system, and reproductive organs. Exposure to these chemicals can occur through inhalation or skin absorption.
Due to the toxic nature of the chemicals used in dry cleaning, there is a significant risk of environmental contamination. This can occur through leaks and spills of solvents or process wastes, as well as through wastewater discharges into sewers and septic systems. The contamination can impact the soil, groundwater, and nearby water bodies, and it can be challenging and costly to remediate.
To reduce the potential for environmental contamination and toxic tort liability, dry cleaning businesses should implement containment measures to prevent spills and leaks of solvents. Additionally, sustainable practices and incident response plans can help mitigate the risks associated with contamination.
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that there may be thousands of former dry cleaner sites that pose a significant risk of contamination. Several states have established programs to fund the investigation and remediation of these sites, but the scope of liability relief and funding varies. Property owners and real estate professionals should be aware of the risks associated with dry cleaning businesses and implement risk management strategies to protect themselves from toxic tort liability.
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Hazardous air pollutants
Dry cleaning establishments are a source of environmental contamination due to leaks and spills of dry cleaning solvents or process wastes. These leaks and spills can contaminate the soil and groundwater around the dry cleaning plant, leading to significant remediation costs and toxic tort liability.
One of the main contaminants associated with dry cleaning activities is perchloroethylene (PCE), a chlorinated solvent. PCE is a hazardous air pollutant that has been linked to adverse health effects, including an elevated risk of urinary tract, esophageal, and pancreatic cancer among individuals who work in dry cleaning establishments. In 1991, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began regulating PCE as a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act. The EPA has since proposed revisions to the National Perchloroethylene Air Emission Standards for Dry Cleaning Facilities, also known as the PCE Dry Cleaning NESHAP.
Other contaminants associated with dry cleaning activities include trichloroethylene (TCE), cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene (cis-1,2-DCE), trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene (trans-1,2-DCE), Vinyl chloride (VC), 1,1,1- trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA), and 1,4-dioxane. These contaminants are volatile halogenated organic compounds that can pose serious health risks due to their toxic and mobile nature in the environment.
To reduce the potential for environmental contamination and exposure to hazardous air pollutants, containment measures should be installed around all areas where dry cleaning solvents are used or stored. Additionally, modern equipment and preventive measures can help reduce the occurrence of accidental spills and leaks at dry cleaning locations. With the availability of alternative safer chemicals, a total replacement of PCE in dry cleaning operations is expected.
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Environmental degradation
Dry cleaners are a source of environmental degradation, particularly through the contamination of soil and water sources. The main mechanism of contamination is through leaks and spills of dry cleaning solvents or process wastes, which can occur during normal operations, such as small drips on the floors inside the dry cleaning facility. These leaks can contaminate the soil under and around the plant, eventually seeping into the water table and contaminating large volumes of groundwater. Even a few teaspoons of solvent can contaminate significant amounts of water. For example, 1 ounce of perchloroethylene (PCE) released directly into water can contaminate nearly 2.5 million gallons of water above regulatory concentrations.
The compounds used in the dry-cleaning process, such as chlorinated solvents and petroleum-based solvents, are heavy environmental pollutants. PCE, also known as PERC, is a colourless, clear, heavy liquid used by 90% of dry cleaners in the United States. It is a known animal carcinogen and a suspected human carcinogen, with significant adverse health effects, including central nervous system depression, damage to the liver and kidneys, and irritation of the respiratory system and skin. Other chlorinated solvents and compounds used during stain removal, such as petroleum naphtha, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, and mineral spirits, can also have harmful effects on human health.
The contamination from dry cleaning activities is resistant to environmental degradation and can persist for decades. This is due to the volatile nature of the chemicals involved, which can easily migrate and spread to nearby residences, schools, and other buildings. Historic dry cleaning operations pose a particular risk, as they used significantly more solvents, and the equipment at the time resulted in numerous spills. The remediation of contaminated dry cleaner sites can be costly, requiring hundreds of thousands of dollars to correct.
To address these environmental concerns, several states have established dry cleaner programs to fund the investigation and remediation of dry cleaners. Federal, state, local, and Tribal regulations also limit emissions from dry cleaners, and organizations such as the EPA have developed National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for perchloroethylene dry cleaning facilities. Additionally, there is a push for alternative safer chemicals, with a total replacement of PCE in dry cleaning operations expected by 2020. However, despite these efforts, the environmental risks of dry cleaners are often overlooked, especially as they tend to be small businesses with limited resources and a lack of environmental insurance.
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Frequently asked questions
Dry cleaning establishments are quite common in urban settings, and so is the contamination that is associated with dry cleaning activities. Such contamination may pose serious health risks due to its toxic nature and resistance to environmental degradation. The main source of pollution from dry cleaners is the solvent used in the cleaning process.
The contaminants used in dry cleaning are chlorinated solvents (especially PCE), perchloroethylene, and petroleum solvents. Other compounds used in the process include acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, and mineral spirits.
The contaminants from dry cleaning do not easily degrade, are highly volatile, and can migrate considerable distances. They can contaminate the soil and groundwater under and around the plant, and eventually, seep down to the water table, contaminating large volumes of groundwater.
Yes, Federal, state, local, and Tribal regulations limit the amount of emissions from dry cleaners. The EPA has also developed National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning Facilities.
The pollutants emitted from dry cleaning can contribute to health problems that may affect shop employees, customers, and the community. PERC, a known animal carcinogen and a suspected human carcinogen, can enter the human body through inhalation and skin exposure. Symptoms associated with overexposure include central nervous system depression, damage to the liver and kidneys, and irritation of the respiratory system and skin.
