| Dry Cleaning
The dry-cleaning process—used for
delicate and shrink-prone fabrics such as wool and
silk—frequently results in toxic by-products including
perchloroethylene (or "perc"), carbon tetrachloride,
and vinyl chloride. These substances not only can contaminate
dry-cleaned clothing but the environment at large.
Health Hazards:
Invisible residual amounts of these toxic
compounds can cling to clothing, drapes, etc., when they come
back from the dry cleaners. Toxins can enter the human body
from hand-to-mouth contact and also via inhalation. Studies
show a big upward spike in perc contamination of the air in a
home when fabrics come back from the dry cleaners. Drapes,
rugs, and clothes continue to "offgas" vapors for
some time. Perc is also considered a severe environmental
toxin that pollutes the air and can contaminate groundwater.
The Los Angeles-area South Coast Air Quality Management
District has been a big supporter of alternatives to dry
cleaning for environmental reasons. See their website for more
info www.aqmd.gov/news/wetwash.html.
How to Avoid or Minimize Exposure:
Find out if your dry cleaner uses perc. Not all do. If perc
is present in the clothes you’ve had cleaned, be sure to
wash your hands thoroughly after handling them, especially
when they are just brought home. Also, explore safer options
that are available today, such as "wet cleaning," a
delicate form of commercial laundering that is water-based
rather than solvent-based. Wet cleaning is popular in Europe
and just beginning to catch on in the US. It is considered
very effective for most "dry clean only" fabrics
like wool sweaters and silk blouses. The machines use
computers to control temperature, agitation, and humidity to
minimize shrinkage and stretching. Other technologies such as
"dry washing" (which uses carbon dioxide) are being
developed. And don’t neglect the old stand-by: hand-washing
with mild soap!
Links to Related Resources
ERF
Chemical Fact Sheet for Lead
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