| The volatile organic chemical, perchloroethylene, | | | | exposure. |
| commonly used in dry cleaning, can cause some | | | | Dry cleaning machines should be regularly serviced |
| serious health problems in workers. This solvent | | | | and maintained and older machines replaced when |
| primarily enters the body from inhalation of its vapors | | | | possible. Adequate ventilation is essential for |
| or by being spilled on the skin. This causes: | | | | controlling the levels of perchloroethlylene in the |
| - Dizziness, drowsiness or loss of coordination | | | | workplace. Overhead fans, exhaust systems and an |
| - Redness and blistering of the skin after prolonged | | | | external ventilation hood are designed to move the |
| contact | | | | vapors away from workers and customers, while |
| - Mild loss of memory | | | | continuously supplying fresh air to the dry cleaning |
| - Decreased visual perception | | | | area. New machines are designed with ventilation |
| - Slowed reaction time may develop after several | | | | systems to prevent the escape of vapors. Air |
| years of exposure | | | | monitoring devices are available to check the level of |
| - Liver and kidney damage which may develop into | | | | chemical present. OSHA emphasizes that "Reducing |
| cancer. | | | | exposure to this potentially hazardous chemical is |
| In addition to these effects, the National Toxicology | | | | emphasized through a combination of preventative |
| Program and the International Agency for Research | | | | maintenance and control of leaks in dry cleaning |
| on Cancer have both designated perchloroethylene as | | | | equipment, proper ventilation and good work |
| a "probable human carcinogen". | | | | practices." It recommends: |
| Dry cleaning employees can be exposed to this | | | | - Do not load dry cleaning machine beyond its |
| chemical while performing routine tasks and machine | | | | capacity. |
| maintenance such as: | | | | - Do not open the machine door while it is running. |
| - Loading dirty clothes into the machine, which | | | | - Keep machine door closed as much as possible. |
| displaces chemically contaminated air, forcing it out of | | | | - Do not shortcut the drying cycle by removing |
| the machine | | | | garments from the machine before the cycle is |
| - Removing clothes, especially thick items, before the | | | | finished. |
| drying cycle is finished | | | | - Keep head and face turned away from the machine |
| - Transferring solvent laden clothes into the dryer | | | | door and clothes when removing solvent - laden |
| - Pressing freshly dried clothes | | | | clothes from washer. |
| - Using a perchloroethylene based spotting agent | | | | - Do not transfer solvent to machines by hand or |
| - Using a perchloroethylene based waterproofing | | | | with an open bucket. A closed piping system that |
| agent | | | | connects directly to machine drum should be used. |
| - Cleaning lint and button traps on the machines | | | | - Wait until machine and solvent are cold before |
| - Raking out the still to remove distillation unit residue | | | | performing maintenance. |
| - When changing the solvent filter | | | | - Use spotting agents sparingly. |
| - During maintenance of the water separator | | | | - Store solvent containers and waste materials in |
| - When handling or storing chemical waste | | | | tightly closed containers. |
| In addition, dry cleaning machines give off 'fugitive | | | | - Clean up spills immediately using appropriate |
| emissions' which are not captured by vapor recovery | | | | materials and following procedures. |
| and are released through a vent or when the loading | | | | - Solvent splashes on skin should be promptly |
| door is opened. Emissions are also due to leaking | | | | washed off with soap and water. |
| machines, hoses, valves, and ducts. | | | | - Splashes to eyes should be flushed promptly with |
| Older dry cleaning machines, called transfer machines, | | | | water. |
| expose workers to high amounts of vapors during | | | | - Eye wash station should be available in dry cleaning |
| the transfer from the washer to the dryer. Newer | | | | area. |
| dry to dry machines filter out vapors and re-circulate | | | | Workers in the Dry Cleaning business must be trained |
| the chemical for use. This decreases chemical release | | | | on safe work procedures as well as how to handle a |
| to the environment as older machines were often | | | | solvent spill and when to use personal protective |
| vented outside. The dry to dry machine also | | | | equipment. |
| minimizes solvent use and decreases worker | | | | |