Dry Cleaning PERC Take-Home Contamination (Garment Off-Gassing, Indoor Air) — household safety profile
Moderate riskPerchloroethylene (PERC, tetrachloroethylene) is used in 70% of US dry cleaning — IARC Group 2A probable carcinogen.
What is this product?
Perchloroethylene (PERC, tetrachloroethylene) is used in 70% of US dry cleaning — IARC Group 2A probable carcinogen. Freshly dry-cleaned garments off-gas PERC for 1-7 days after pickup: measured indoor air concentrations of 50-200 ug/m3 in homes with freshly cleaned garments (vs 1-5 ug/m3 background). Garments stored in plastic dry-cleaning bags retain PERC longer (bag traps vapors). Residents above/adjacent to dry cleaners: chronic elevated PERC exposure (EPA has relocated families). California phasing out PERC dry cleaning by 2023 (extended to 2025 for hardship). Alternatives: hydrocarbon solvent, liquid CO2, GreenEarth (silicone-based), wet cleaning.
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Dry Cleaning Solvent
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