There is nothing dry about dry cleaning. A wet solvent is used instead of water thanks to a discovery in the 1800s in which kerosene was spilled on a tablecloth. It was noticed that it made it cleaner. An industry of dangerous cleaning solvents was born.
Cleaning fluids were mostly petroleum-based up until World War II but they would sometimes explode if they got too hot. They could also cause dizziness or neurological problems. Perchloroethylene arrived on the scene and was thought to save the day. You couldn’t smell it, it was nonflammable, and was the most reliable solvent for removing dirt. However, PERC is a synthetic, volatile organic compound and poses a health risk to humans. It is also a threat to the environment. According to Greenpeace, 70% of PERC winds up in the air or in ground water. The EPA says that it is during the cleaning, purification, and waste disposal phases of dry cleaning that these hazardous toxins can get into our air, water, and soil.
PERC is used by 3 out of 4 dry cleaners nationwide. California has banned the entire state from its use. Massachusetts, New York and Texas are also considering a ban.
It’s frightening to hear that you can be breathing PERC and not even know it. The EPA says that breathing PERC for short periods of time can adversely affect the human nervous system with symptoms ranging from dizziness, fatigue, headaches and sweating, to lack of coordination and unconsciousness.
There are several good alternatives, however. DF-2000 is a good solvent for small family-owned dry cleaners because it is inexpensive and easy to use. Unfortunately, it is only marginally better in terms of health and the environment. Better techniques would be using carbon dioxide and just plain water. These processes cost more money, however.
A licensing fee is often required to use the carbon dioxide method where expensive machines put liquid CO2 under high pressure. Nearly all garments labeled “dry clean only” can be cleaned with water through a process called wet-cleaning. This takes time and skill on the part of the professional, so the cost is higher; but, gratefully, both these methods are toxic-free.
Be careful even if your cleaner claims to be earth-friendly. Ask about the specific methods and chemicals being used. Some will advertise as “green”, “organic,” or “environmentally friendly” even when they are not. Watch out for hydrocarbon cleaning. Hydrocarbons are petroleum-based and carry all the environmental concerns of petroleum. They are a major source of greenhouse gases also.
The GreenEarth method is not perfect either. It uses a silicone-based solvent called siloxane or D-5 which is a common ingredient in deodorant and shaving creams. Although it’s chemically safe, Dow Corning (D-5’s creator) did a study that revealed it increased the risk of uterine cancer in exposed rats.
Additionally, it’s been discovered that when D-5 is manufactured chlorine is a part of that process. When chlorine is manufactured the carcinogen dioxin is released.
Silicones Environmental Health and Safety Council has responded to this report and released a statement saying that their industry has determined that D-5 is safe for its intended uses based on all of the available science. It’s up to you to decide what is an acceptable risk for you and your family.
If you still opt to dry clean your clothes, when you get home from the cleaners unwrap your clothes and air them outside or in the garage. If you immediately bring them inside the house PERC will float into the air and last up to a week without any noticeable detection.
Also know that most clothes labeled “dry clean” can be hand washed or put in the gentle cycle of your washing machine with a mild soap.
Seeker on Jun 05 2008 |
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