Dry Cleaning Solvent Perchloroethylene: Understanding Its Risks and Alternatives

Perchloroethylene, also known as perc, has been a staple in the dry cleaning industry for over 50 years. It's a potent solvent that can dissolve oils and waxes, making it effective at removing tough stains.

Perc is a known carcinogen, and long-term exposure to it has been linked to various health problems, including cancer, neurological damage, and reproductive issues. This is a serious concern for people who work with perc regularly, such as dry cleaners and their employees.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified perc as a toxic substance, and it's banned in some countries due to its potential health and environmental risks.

Perchloroethylene, also known as perc, has been the dominant dry cleaning solvent for nearly a century. It's still widely used today, especially in the US, where it's used by approximately 60-65% of dry cleaners.

Perc is valued for its grease-cutting properties and is considered effective and quick to use. However, it's also a strong chemical that can easily seep into the soil and groundwater, causing serious contamination issues.

In the US, there are strict regulations in place to minimize perc release, with the latest 5th generation machines being closed-loop and equipped with advanced pollution prevention controls. These machines use significantly less perc than older generations, with some using less than 10 g-PERC/kilogram cleaned garment.

Despite its effectiveness, perc has been attacked by environmental agencies and scientists as a potential human carcinogen and ground water pollutant. In fact, California has scheduled perc to be phased out in 2023.

Interestingly, perc is relatively more expensive than some alternative solvents, with machines costing between $60,000-$80,000. This can make it difficult for dry cleaners to upgrade to newer, more environmentally friendly machines.

Here's a rough breakdown of the percentage of dry cleaners using perc and alternative solvents in the US:

Keep in mind that these figures are approximate and may vary depending on the source.

Dry cleaning solvent perchloroethylene poses health and environmental concerns.

People who live or work near dry cleaning facilities may be exposed to higher levels of perchloroethylene than the general population.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ruled that dry cleaners located in residential buildings must phase out dry cleaning machines that use perc by December 21, 2020.

Exposure to high levels of perc can lead to irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and/or respiratory system.

Short-term exposure to high levels of perc can affect the central nervous system and may lead to unconsciousness or death.

The highest exposures to perchloroethylene tend to occur in the workplace, especially among dry cleaning workers or workers at metal degreasing facilities.

Low levels of perchloroethylene in the environment, air, water, and food are not reported to cause symptoms.

Dry cleaned clothes may release small amounts of perc into the air, according to the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).

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Several jurisdictions have taken steps to promote safer alternatives to PERC. The State of California provided $10,000 grants to PERC dry cleaners to transition to non-toxic and non-smog forming technologies.

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The City of Minneapolis was the first PERC-free city in the nation, banning the use of PERC in January 2018. This move highlights the growing concern about the environmental and health impacts of PERC.

The City of Philadelphia extended the US EPA phase-out of PERC dry cleaning operations located in residential buildings to include other sensitive areas, such as hospitals and schools. This shows that cities are taking proactive measures to protect public health and the environment.

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Several jurisdictions have encouraged or mandated a transition away from PERC. The State of California provided $10,000 grants to PERC dry cleaners to transition to non-toxic and non-smog forming technologies.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts offered grants of up to $10,000 to transition away from PERC. The City of Minneapolis banned the use of PERC and became the first PERC-free city in the nation in January 2018.

The City of Philadelphia extended the US EPA phase-out of PERC dry cleaning operations located in residential buildings to include hospitals, daycares, schools, health clinics, community centers, and recreation areas.

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The search for safer dry cleaning solvents has been a challenging task, and unfortunately, it's led to regrettable substitutions, such as the use of n-PB.

Local and state policies in the US have played a significant role in transitioning dry cleaners from PERC to safer alternatives, but more work is needed to ensure the sustainability of the fabric cleaning industry.

Many alternative solvents, like glycol ethers and Solvon K4, are relatively new products with no established occupational exposure limits, making it difficult to assess their safety.

The recent improvements in PWC technology have made it an alternative to PERC that doesn't use potentially harmful solvents and doesn't generate organic hazardous waste.

To promote safer alternatives, it's essential to consider the unique financial and cultural characteristics of the industry.

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