After closing her dry cleaning business for the day, the manager started a distillation cycle on one of the shop’s machines. A leak arose on the tetrachloroethylene circuit undergoing regeneration, with a large quantity of product spilling into the retention basin and, to a limited extent, outside the basin. A chemical emergency unit was called to the scene, once the strong odours had been reported by neighbours, and proceeded by ventilating the premises, introducing absorbents into the retention basin and measuring concentration levels in the air. The operator made plans to replace the defective machine, which had been shut down in awaiting issuance of a compliance certificate.