The California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted yesterday to phase out perchloroethylene use in drycleaning statewide by 2023, against the recommendations of its staff and the industry’s public comment.
Approved unanimously by the board’s seven members, the new rule includes amendments to the state’s Air Toxics Control Measure (ATCM) that will phase out all perc use in drycleaning incrementally by 2023. On Jan. 1, 2008, the purchase of perc equipment will be banned, and cleaners must mothball any perc machinery older than 15 years by July 2010.
