An article by Christopher W. Richter, Technical Director, Secur-it Program, titled, "Spill-Prevention Practices And Equipment Are A Worthwhile Investment"appeared in the October 2009 edition of Dry Cleaning News.

Historically, tetrachloroethene, also referred to as perchlorothylene (PCE) has been the primary solvent of choice for dry cleaning, though other, similar chemicals such as trichloroethene (TCE), Freon 113 and other, petroleum-based mixtures (paraffins, petrol, Stoddard solvent) have been utilized as well.  Though dry cleaning is a fairly closed loop system, opportunities for spills exist in nearly every stage of the process.

The following table briefly summarizes financial programs that may be available to assist dry cleaners in northeastern states in the investigation and remediation of soil and/or ground water that may have been impacted by a release of perchloroethene:

STATE	DESCRIPTION	Additional Information
Connecticut	Financial assistance (grants) available through the Dry Cleaning Establishment Remediation Fund (DECD) for investigation and cleanup.	DECD (860) 270-8151 www.ct.gov/dep
Maine	No specific funding sources available.  Financial assistance may be provided if dry cleaner property is part of a larger Brownfield redevelopment project.  Technical assistance available free of charge to small businesses (<100 people) through the Small Business Technical Assistance Program.	ME Department of Environmental Protection (800) 452-1942 www.maine.gov/dep
Massachusetts	Grants available for phase-out of equipment utilizing PCE.  Financial assistance may be provided if dry cleaner property is part of a larger Brownfield redevelopment project.	Toxic Use Reduction Institute (978) 934-3275 www.turi.org
New Hampshire	Funding may be available through the revolving loan fund if the property is part of a larger Brownfield redevelopment program	NH Department of Environmental Services (603) 271-3503 http://des.nh.gov
New Jersey	Financial assistance available from state Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Grant/Loan Program for investigation and cleanup	NJ Department of Environmental Protection (609) 292-1251 www.nj.gov/dep/srp
New York	No specific funding sources available. Financial assistance may be provided if dry cleaner property is part of a larger Brownfield redevelopment project.	NY Department of Environmental Conservation (518) 402-8013 www.dec.ny.gov
Rhode Island	Funding may be available through the revolving loan fund if the property is part of a larger Brownfield redevelopment program	RI Department of Environmental Management (401) 222-6800 www.dem.ri.gov