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Akron Dry Cleaning Business to Pay Penalty for Violating Ohio's Environmental Laws

10/31/2011

(AKRON, Ohio)—In a settlement with Ohio EPA and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, the owner of Belle-Aire Cleaners in Akron agreed to pay a $10,000 penalty for violating Ohio's air pollution control laws at his dry cleaning business located at 649 Storer Avenue.

Between 2006 and 2011, David Klein operated dry cleaning equipment utilizing the solvent perchloroethylene (perc) without obtaining a required permit renewal from Ohio EPA. The violation was discovered in 2009 by an inspector for the Akron Regional Air Quality Management District, Ohio EPA's contractual representative responsible for administering the air pollution control program in Summit County.

Dry cleaning machines utilizing perc emit hazardous air pollutants and are regulated under U.S. EPA's National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. Ohio EPA's permit places limits on these emissions and requires routine record keeping and reporting to ensure compliance with federal clean air standards and protect public health. 

The civil penalty will support state and local air pollution control programs, the Ohio Environmental Education Fund and Ohio EPA's clean diesel school bus fund.

The complaint and consent order detailing the violation and settlement were filed with the Summit County Court of Common Pleas.

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Media Contacts

Mike Settles, Ohio EPA: 614-644-2160
Dan Tierney, Attorney General's Office: 614-466-3840

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