Press Release

Coalition for Clean Air Applauds AQMD’s New $1 Million Grant Program To Help Southland Dry Cleaners Switch to Non-Toxic, Non-Smog Forming Systems

(Oct. 6, 2007) - Many dry cleaners in the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s region will be able to switch to non-toxic, non-smog-forming systems because of a new grant program approved today by the air district.

This new $1 million grant program will help dry cleaners switch from using the toxic chemical perchloroethylene, also known as “perc,” to two new and safer technologies: professional wet cleaning and the CO2 system. To date, it is the AQMD’s largest grant program for these technologies.

California Proposition 65 has classified perc as a chemical known to cause cancer. It is estimated to have contaminated 1 in 10 public drinking wells in California. And, according to federal EPA data, it is one of the top 10 most toxic air contaminants in the state. The AQMD adopted a rule that required dry cleaners to stop using perc by 2020. See fact sheet (pdf)

“This is a very progressive step that helps Southern California phase out a toxic dry cleaning technology and replaces it with the safest, non-polluting, non-smog producing alternative available on the market,” said Luis Cabrales, campaign and outreach associate for the Coalition for Clean Air.

Under the new grant program, the South Coast AQMD will provide $20,000 grants for CO2 machines and $10,000 for professional wet cleaning systems.

“It gives small business owners the helping hand they need to comply with the AQMD’s regulation to phase out old polluting and toxic machines,” Cabrales said.

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For more than 35 years, the non-profit Coalition for Clean Air has been committed to restoring clean air to California. With offices in Sacramento, Los Angeles and Fresno, it is dedicated to strengthening the environmental movement by promoting broad-based community involvement, advocating responsible public policy and providing technical expertise.

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