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Perchloroethylene, a volatile organic chemical used in dry cleaning is the cause of many serious health problems within the dry cleaning industry. The chemical can be absorbed either through the skin or by inhilation, This can cause:

*Liver and kidney damage which may lead to cancer.
*Mild memory loss.
*Blistering and discomfort after direct contact with the skin.
*Slower reaction times can develop after extended contact.
*Dizziness or drowsiness.
*Loss of concentration.

Perchloroethylene is a pretty horrible substance, and although the full extent of its effect on the human body are still under investigation, It has been designated the classification of a “probable human carcinogen” by the international agency for research on cancer. Exposure to this chemicalcan happen whilst perfoming routine dry cleaning tasks like:

Loading solvent treated clothing into drying equipment.
Removing items from the drying unit before the solvents have fully evaporated. The use of perchoroethylene based stain removing spotting sprays. Loading items into machines, this can displace a volume of chemically contaminated air as the clothes are pushed into the drum. Routine maintenance such as changing solvent filtration units, or cleaning the water seperator. Cleaning lint from the button trap on a dry cleaning machine. Applying a perchlororethylene based waterproofing agent to clothes.
Pressing garments that still contain a vapour residue.

Older dry cleaning equipment is even more harmful, newer units capture vapourized perchloroethylene and condense it back into a liquid form for re-use, but older type machines simply vent the vapours through a ventilation hose, releasing far more perchloroethylene, both into the environment and into contact with the worker. Damaged hoses and seals can greatly increase the level of exposure. Dry cleaning machines must be regularly serviced and older transfer type machines should be replaced when possible with the newer and safer dry to dry type machines. Health and safety regulations concerning the use of dry cleaning equipment specify that adequate ventilation must be in place to remove the toxic vapours and ensure that the levels of exposure are kept to a bare minimum. Air monitoring equipment should also be used to monitor the levels of perchloroethylene that are present in the workplace environment.

Other health and safety reccomendations include:

Ensuring the machinery is used within its manufacturers reccomendations, do not overload the machine. Provide eyewash facilities incase of eye contamination. Wash off solvent splashes right away with soap and water. Clean solvent spills immediately using the correct proceedure. Store solvents and chemical waste safely and in accordance with coshh regualations. Allow machinery and solvents to cool before carrying our any maintenance, if viable this should be done at the start of a day before the machinery has been used. Do not remove garments form the dryer before the cycle has completely finished. Always leave the drum door closed when the machine is not in use, this lowers the emmision of vapours into the air. Do not open the machine door whilst the machine is in operation. Keep your head turned away from the outfits and machine door as you remove solvent treated clothes for drying, try not to breathe the vapours. Never transfer Perloroethylene using a bucket or by hand, the chemical should be carried by a piping system direct to the machine drum.

Persons employed in the Dry Cleaning trade must be trained on safe work procedures and in addition must be skilled in cleaning up solvent spills and the correct use or personal protective equipment. This Article was written for 2busy2clean, dry cleaning specialists providing dry cleaners wc1 and dry cleaners islington.

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