MoversAtlas

This map feature lists all of the facilities registered with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as dry cleaners. Why are dry cleaners listed under environmental hazards? Many dry cleaning facilities in the United States use a chemical solvent called perchloroethylene to clean their garments. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), short term exposure to this chemical can cause temporary impairment of the central nervous system. Long term exposure can cause liver damage, kidney damage, and possibly cancer. The good news is the chemical typically doesn't travel too far due to its volatility (tendency to evaporate quickly). It is also possible for perchloroethylene to contaminate soil and groundwater if it is improperly handled or disposed of.

Note that some modern dry cleaners have begun using "greener" more environmentally friendly (and less toxic) methods to clean garments, so not all the dry cleaning facilities displayed generate the same level of hazard to human health. Living next to a dry cleaning shop does not guarantee that you will be exposed to perchloroethylene, nor does it indicate that you will experience negative health effects due to your proximity to the shop. Exposure to this chemical depends on numerous factors besides just proximity. It's also important to note that the amount of perchloroethylene released by each dry cleaning facility depends on the practices of its owners and staff, so emissions will vary between facilities. Also be aware that the facilities in this map feature are not necessarily doing anything illegal or improper. Their presence merely indicates that they are registered with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as dry cleaners.