Dry Cleaning Facilities

Dry Cleaning facilities using perchloroethylene (PERC) are subject to Federal rules called the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP). PERC is a toxic chemical and a suspected carcinogen with both environmental and human health concerns.

Forms and Instructions

All dry cleaning facilities in Forsyth County using PERC must register their facilities with the Forsyth County Office of Environmental Assistance and Protection (EAP).

Dry Cleaning facility owners should strive to provide the safest environment for workers and a clean environment around the facility (land, air, and water). To learn more, see OSHA’s Reducing Worker Exposure to PERC in Dry Cleaning. Compliance with Federal rules and regulations governing the dry cleaning industry will reduce exposure of workers and customers to PERC. It will also save the owners money since proper maintenance and preventing leaks and spills leaves more PERC to be reused in the machines.

In Forsyth County, our agents inspect Dry Cleaning facilities for compliance with NESHAP, the air quality rules under the Federal Clean Air Act governing dry cleaning facilities using PERC. We enforce the rules through issuance of violations, civil penalties, and by providing educational assistance when requested and/or needed. The Dry Cleaning Solvent Cleanup Act (DSCA) program, operated by the State of North Carolina’s Division of Waste Management, inspects Dry Cleaning facilities for compliance with waste management rules and housekeeping requirements under the DSCA program. Occasionally, our agents will operate joint inspections with agents from the DSCA program, allowing us to become more familiar with State waste management and DSCA requirements. When schedules or frequency of inspections do not allow for joint inspections, our Office directs waste management and DSCA related problems to the State if our inspectors find them during annual air quality inspections.

Dry Cleaning Info

County Services

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