Cleaner punished for dump of solvent

Prolonged exposure to perchloroethylene can cause serious health problems

A state judge has ordered the former owner of a downtown Honolulu laundry and dry-cleaning business to serve five years' probation for the improper use and disposal of a hazardous solvent commonly used in dry-cleaning machines.

Circuit Judge Randal Lee handed Xuan-Mai Pavey the sentence Wednesday. Pavey owned Fantastique Inc., which operated at 16 Merchant St. from 2000 to 2005. She is scheduled to again appear before Lee on Thursday to ask him to change certain conditions of her probation.

Pavey pleaded no contest to unlawful disposal of hazardous waste, air pollution and abandoning hazardous waste in July. She also asked Lee to defer her no-contest plea to give her the opportunity to clear her record in the future. Lee denied her request.

The hazardous cleaning solvent is perchloroethylene, a colorless, nonflammable liquid that can lead to serious health problems in humans through extended periods of exposure.

The state Department of the Attorney General prosecuted the case.