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In Settlement of Environmental Charges, Queens, N.Y. Dry Cleaner to Pay Penalty and Install "Cleaner" Technology

Release Date: 04/05/2002
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(#02019) New York, N.Y. – In settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of charges it mismanaged hazardous wastes containing the dry cleaning chemical “perc,” Long Island City-based White-Sun Cleaners Corporation and its owner, Insun Yun, will pay a $10,800 cash penalty, and make improvements at the dry cleaning facility that will benefit the environment. The improvements, which are made possible through an innovative EPA settlement policy, will cost the company approximately $60,000 over three years. “This case has ended with a settlement that will benefit workers and the people living in the area,” said Jane M. Kenny, EPA Regional Administrator . “The violations we first noted at this facility never should have occurred in the first place. What we have now, however, is the best possible compensation for those wrongdoings – a cash penalty that will act as a deterrent for future violations, and the installation of cleaner technology that will reduce people’s exposure to toxic chemicals.” EPA inspected White-Sun’s facility at 47-38 through 47-46 34th Street in Long Island City in August 2000 and observed many conditions that violated both federal and state hazardous waste regulations. Among them: 19 improperly-labeled containers holding perchloroethylene (perc) waste, many of which were open; containers, equipment, walls and floors that were visibly contaminated with perc waste; and a dry cleaning machine that was leaking sludge containing perc. Perc, also known as tetrachloroethylene, is the most widely-used chemical in the dry cleaning industry. It is also a probable human carcinogen, and can have other significant negative health effects in people. EPA ultimately charged White-Sun with several counts of violating regulations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the federal hazardous waste law, and of violating the EPA authorized state regulations. In settlement with EPA, White-Sun opted to undertake a Supplemental Environmental Project made possible through an innovative EPA policy that gives companies settling with the agency on certain violations the option to undertake projects that will benefit human health and the environment. White- Sun will install a new alternate solvent dry cleaning machine that uses a hydrocarbon solvent instead of perc. The proposed hydrocarbon solvent is environmentally friendly and less toxic than perc. The machine using the alternate solvent will be installed after approval by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). White-Sun will install the alternate solvent dry cleaning machine within a year of its approval by the FDNY and operate it for at least three years. The company also agreed to make the new machine available for viewing by other members of the dry cleaning community, to publicize its use of the alternate solvent machine and to provide information about the technology when requested. Until the machine is installed, the company will provide EPA with monthly updates on its progress to obtain the necessary New York City permits and to install the unit. After installation, the company will provide a six-month operation report, followed by two annual reports. EPA has the right at any time to visit the Long Island City facility to check on White-Sun’s progress and to ensure that the machine is being properly operated. Should the company not adhere to any parts of the settlement agreement, it is liable for stipulated penalties to EPA. The first installment of the $10,800 cash penalty has been paid.