Arizona dry cleaners must now use less-polluting solvents

US environmental regulators have approved new rules for dry cleaners in Maricopa County, Arizona. These rules require dry cleaners to use petroleum solvents that release fewer volatile organic compounds into the air.

Local air quality agencies often set specific rules for industries within their jurisdiction. This approval means Maricopa County can now enforce its own, stricter standards for dry cleaning chemicals. This is a small but concrete step in a long-running effort to reduce air pollution from common industrial processes.