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EPA Cracks Down On Dozens of Area Dry Cleaners; Agency Cites 9 Dry Cleaners in New York City Seeking More than $14,000 in Fines

Release Date: 02/22/2002
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(#02010) New York, New York – Many dry cleaners continue to violate environmental law despite efforts by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to educate facilities about the requirements; and now more than two dozen dry cleaners face penalties, EPA announced today. Of 25 dry cleaners in New York and New Jersey recently cited, nine are located in New York City. EPA is proposing a total of $37,850 in fines, with $14, 550 in fines against New York City dry cleaners . The fines proposed vary depending on the severity of the violations, the size of the dry cleaners based on perchloroethylene purchases and whether the facility is a repeat violator. “These regulations have been in place for years, but some dry cleaners continue to ignore them, potentially exposing the people of New York City to toxic air pollutants used in the dry cleaning process.” Jane Kenny, EPA Region 2 Administrator. “EPA is cracking down on dry cleaners that continue to ignore the rules. On the other hand, we are very willing to work cooperatively with any dry cleaner that comes to us seeking help in complying.” In September 1993, EPA issued regulations under the federal Clean Air Act to control air pollution from the estimated 30,000 dry cleaners that use perchloroethylene, commonly called “perc”. Dry cleaners are the major source of perc, a suspected carcinogen that can also cause short-term health effects such as respiratory distress and sore throats. Generally, dry cleaners must inspect equipment regularly to look for leaks, repair any leaks detected, keep records of the inspections, follow good housekeeping practices, operate all equipment according to manufacturer’s instructions and keep records of the amount of perc purchased each year. Because most dry cleaners are small businesses, which often have more difficulty meeting federal regulations than larger firms, EPA instituted a program to help them comply with the dry cleaning regulations. Officials from EPA’s Region 2 office in New York City visited hundreds of dry cleaners since the late 1990's. During these visits, EPA distributed literature written in both English and Korean explaining the dry cleaner regulations in plain language. EPA also offered to review each facility’s operations and to grant temporary amnesty from penalties to give each dry cleaner ample time to come into compliance. Most dry cleaners have declined this offer. Nearly 100% of those that were given assistance were out of compliance. The EPA continues to offer assistance to dry cleaners that make an effort to comply. Dry Cleaners cited in New York City: Atomic Era Cleaners on East 165 th Street in Bronx, New York was cited for not regularly inspecting dry cleaning equipment, keeping logs of inspections, measuring temperature on the outlet side of the refrigerated condenser and record the measurements, recording the volume of perc purchased every month and consumed every year and not comparing the temperature of the air and perc stream entering the condenser with the temperature of the stream exiting the condenser to ensure that it is working properly. The Agency is proposing a $1,700 fine for these violations. Dorian Cleaners on Lennox Avenue in New York City was cited for failing to measure the temperature on the outlet side of its refrigerated condenser and not keeping a log of these readings, failing to keep logs of inspections of dry cleaning equipment, equipment repairs and the amount of perc purchased each month and consumed each year and failing to monitor the refrigerated condenser. The Agency is seeking $1,600 for these violations. Gordon’s Cleaners on Lennox Avenue in New York City was cited for not measuring temperature on the outlet side of its refrigerated condenser and not keeping records of the temperature readings, not monitoring the condenser and not keeping on site a copy of the design specifications and operating manual for the dry cleaning system. EPA is proposing a $750 penalty for these violations. Millennium Dry Cleaners on Willis Avenue in Bronx, New York was cited for failing to regularly inspect its dry cleaning equipment, keep logs of inspections, measure temperature on the outlet side of the refrigerated condenser and record the measurements, record the volume of perc purchased every month and consumed every year and failing to compare the temperature of the air and perc stream entering the condenser with the temperature of the stream exiting the condenser to ensure that it is working properly. The Agency is proposing a $1,700 fine for these violations. P and A Dry Cleaners, Inc on Broadway in New York City was cited for not measuring or keeping records of the temperature on the outlet side of the refrigerated condeser. EPA is proposing a $1,000 fine for these violations. Rafaelito Cleaners on Driggs Avenue in Brooklyn, New York was cited for failing to regularly inspect its dry cleaning equipment, keep logs of inspections, measure temperature on the outlet side of the refrigerated condenser and record the measurements and failing to record the volume of perc purchased every month and consumed every year. The Agency is proposing a $1,400 fine for these violations. Riverside Cleaners on Broadway in New York City was cited for failing to inspect drycleaning equipment and keep records of the inspections, failing to measure and to record the temperature on the outlet side of the refrigerated condenser, failing to repair leaks within 24 hours and keep records of the repairs and failing to calculate the difference between the temperature of the perc and air stream going into the condenser and the stream coming out of it to ensure that the condensor was working properly. EPA is proposing a $1,800 penalty for these violations. W.H. Christian & Sons, Inc. on Banker Street in Brooklyn, New York was cited for not inspecting its dry cleaning machinery for leaks, not keeping records of inspections, not properly measuring the temperature on the outlet side of the refrigerated condenser, not comparing the temperature of the stream of air and perc going into the condenser with the temperature of the stream exiting the condenser to ensure that the condenser was working properly and not keeping records of temperature readings. EPA is proposing a $2,600 penalty for these violations. World’s Cleaners on Pine Street in Brooklyn, New York was cited for failing to inspect equipment and keep records of inspections and for failing to repair leaks within 24 hours and keep records of those repairs. The Agency is seeking a $2,000 fine for these violations. In addition to actions announced today, EPA has cited 114 dry cleaners in New York and New Jersey, the most in any region of the country. For more information about regulations governing dry cleaner emissions, go to the EPA website at https://www.epa.gov/ttnsbap1/dryclean.html. Dry cleaners that have questions about whether they are in compliance should contact Ronald Lockwood at 212-637-3413. For press release detailing cases against dry cleaners in Long Island and New Jersey, go to https://www.epa.gov/region02/news/