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Air Quality Management

Dry Cleaners may contribute to air quality problems through their operation and processes such as:

• the release of odours and solvent laden vapour from dry cleaning processes and various chemical products that are used
• energy consumption that requires the burning of fossil fuels (oil, gas and coal) and results in the release of greenhouse gases through emissions
• excessive use of motor vehicles for transportation and delivery of goods.

Air quality management includes looking after the air inside your premises, as well as reducing the impact of any of your activities that could affect the air in your local neighbourhood.

Emissions, fumes and odours

Most emissions and odours produced by a dry cleaning operation originates as solvent-laden vapour from the drying cycle. Ninety five percent (95%) of dry cleaning operations in NSW use a solvent known as Perchloroethylene (PERC) to clean fabrics. PERC has been identified as an 'air toxin' in the Australian Federal Government's National Pollutant Inventory (NPI).

The emissions are generally generated through exhausts and if inhaled in high concentrations can cause various physiological responses such as dizziness, headache and nausea. Therefore, to reduce risk to the operator, it is essential that proper and appropriate ventilation of your workplace occurs at all times.

The quality of emissions from your dry cleaning process depends on the age of the equipment and type of pollution control equipment being used.

When considering updating, purchasing new equipment or buying an established dry cleaning operation, your choice of machine is very important. You should evaluate the machine for its environmental performance and solvent mileage. Machines that control and recycle solvent vapour will use far less solvent than older machines with limited recycling capacity.

Reduce and control your dry cleaning air emissions by:

• regularly servicing air filtering and odour control equipment
• investigating the alternatives of less toxic chemicals to replace the chemicals you are currently using
• regularly checking equipment for leaks and keeping an inventory. It is best to check these components while your dry cleaning equipment is in use, especially during the drying cycle. If the leak cannot be repaired quickly and is minor, tag the leaking component so it can be repaired when the machine is shut down. There are hand held devices available which can be used to measure vapour leaks. The following equipment components are more prone to leakage:
  • hose connections, unions, couplings and valves
  • machine door gaskets and seatings
  • filter head gaskets and seatings
  • distillation and sludge recovery units
  • lint traps and filter canisters
• keeping solvent containers sealed when not in use to limit evaporation and prevent excessive odours and loss of materials
• reviewing current work practices to reduce emissions by:
  • closing the door when the machine is not operating
  • closing the door after each cycle operation
  • not removing clothes before the drying cycle is completed

Ventilation and considering your neighbours

• It is essential that dry cleaning areas are vented correctly so that risks to the operator are reduced. However, when you are venting your premises, consider your neighbours by not exhausting into or close to their premises.
• When establishing a dry cleaning operation consider the siting of boilers, extractor fans and condensers and the appropriate noise and odour pollution controls that may be required especially if the premises are located in a residential area.
• If a dry cleaning operation is or will be located adjacent to a residential building, different or more effective ventilation strategies may need to be considered to obtain council consent.

Transport

• Monitor your transportation and fuel costs, set targets to reduce the number of trips that are taken each day and maximise vehicle loads. Keep your vehicles well maintained to maximise fuel efficiency and reduce exhaust emissions.
• If your vehicle blows excessive exhaust smoke it may end up costing you! If your smoky vehicle is spotted by an EPA or council officer or reported to the EPA by a member of the public an on-the-spot fine may be issued and/or a notice served requiring the vehicle to be inspected and repaired.

Energy consumption

The production and use of energy from non-renewable resources (oil, gas and coal) results in the emission of greenhouse gases and air pollutants (carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides) that adversely affect the environment.

Dry cleaners should find ways to minimise their energy use by using alternative energy sources, maximising natural lighting and heating, and by choosing appliances and equipment that use less energy. Start by identifying where you are using most energy and how you might be able to reduce this usage. Small things can make a big difference – such as installing more efficient lighting and turning off lights when not in use. Refer to 'Energy and Water Use', for more information on how to reduce your resource consumption.

Further Information

• Your local council
• WorkCover NSW, Tel: 131 050
• DECC Environment Line, Tel: 131 555
• Drycleaning Institute of Australia (NSW), Tel: 9328 4626
• Yellow Pages - look under 'Air Conditioning' and 'Filters'.