$750 civil penalty issued by DEQ to Portland dry cleaning business
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued a $750 civil penalty to Ho Pham, doing business as Ho’s Independent Cleaners, for violations at his dry cleaning business located at 1720 NW Marshall St., in Portland, OR. Violations included placing used filters on the ground outside the facility; having inadequate secondary containment for a wastewater treatment unit and hazardous waste storage container; failing to repair a leak within 24 hours; and for failing to keep records on site.
DEQ issued the penalty because it is important that dry cleaners comply with Oregon’s waste minimization regulations. The proper storage, handling disposal of filters, wastewater, solvent, and all hazardous waste is important because the solvents used in dry cleaning can be toxic and harmful to the environment and the public. Also important is keeping thorough records onsite and readily available to inspectors.
View enforcement notice
https://www.oregon.gov/deq/nr/030117HoPham.pdf
Contacts
Ed Patnode, Dry Cleaner Program, Portland, 503-229-6783, patnode.ed@deq.state.or.us
Rick Grisel, Environmental Law Specialist, DEQ, Portland, 503-229-5422, grisel.richard@deq.state.or.us