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Dry cleaning contamination

dry cleaner site cleanup
Crews take samples outside a dry cleaner.

This page contains information about how to properly clean up dry cleaning contamination. For information on the Dry Cleaner Environmental Response Fund (DERF), see the DERF reimbursement page.

If you have questions about your dry cleaning facility or a cleanup you are involved with, contact your regional Remediation and Redevelopment project manager.

For more information about the licensing requirements for drycleaners, visit the Department of Revenue website [exit DNR].

Training

Drycleaner remediation training

The State Coalition for Remediation of Drycleaners (SCRD) members and CLU-IN hosted a webinar on June 8, 2011, titled "Conducting Contamination Assessment at Drycleaning Sites," which presented information from a recently updated guidance document on conducting contamination assessment work at drycleaning sites. Former RR Program hydrogeologist Terry Evanson was one of four presenters during the online training. Access the webinar and download the PowerPoint Presentation [exit DNR] by using the "List All 818 Archived Seminars" tab and search by title or date.

Key aspects of the updated guidance were presented, including: an overview of the drycleaning process, chemicals used, waste generation and management practices in the drycleaning industry, site reconnaissance, identifying sampling locations and environmental assessment technologies applied to drycleaning facilities. The seminar will help state regulators and practitioners identify likely areas of contamination and more effectively implement investigation approaches at current and former drycleaner facilities.

Since 2011, there have been significant advances in the understanding of contaminant vapor movement, specifically vapors resulting from dry cleaning chemical contamination, and the science related to the investigation and mitigation of vapors. Guidance specific to vapor intrusion can be found on our Vapor Intrusion for Environmental Professionals web page. Specific training regarding advances in vapor intrusion beginning in 2014 through today can be found on the Remediation and Redevelopment Program Training Library web page.

Resources

Below are some resources that may be of interest to you if you are involved with the cleanup of a dry cleaning facility. The list will be updated as more resources become available.