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California Penal Code Section 641.5

Legal Research Home > California Lawyer > Penal Code > California Penal Code Section 641.5

(a) In any clothes cleaning establishment in which more than
one gallon of a volatile, commercially moisture-free solvent of the
chlorinated hydrocarbon type is used for dry cleaning, the
performance of all the dry cleaning, drying, and deodorizing
processes shall be completed entirely within fluid-tight machines or
apparatus vented to the open air at a point not less than eight feet
from any window or other opening and so used and operated as to
prevent the escape of fumes, gases, or vapors into workrooms or
workplaces.
   (b) Except when operations are performed as provided in
subdivision (a), no person shall operate a clothes cleaning
establishment in which more than one gallon of a volatile,
commercially moisture-free solvent of the chlorinated hydrocarbon
type is used for dry cleaning except under either of the following
conditions:
   (1) All of the dry cleaning, drying, and deodorizing processes are
performed in a single room or compartment designed and ventilated in
such a manner that dangerous toxic concentrations of vapors will not
accumulate in working areas.
   (2) The dry cleaning processes are performed in fluid-tight
machines or apparatus designed, installed, and operated in a manner
that will prevent the escape of dangerous toxic concentrations of
vapors to the working areas.
   (c) "Volatile, commercially moisture-free solvent" means either of
the following:
   (1) Any commercially moisture-free liquid, volatile product or
substance having the capacity to evaporate and, during evaporation,
to generate and emit a gas or vapor.
   (2) Any solvent commonly known to the clothes cleaning industry as
a "chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent."
   (d) Any violation of this section is a misdemeanor.

Last modified: January 12, 2009