Press Releases Archives

October 22, 2002

LOS ANGELES – A new report released today by the Coalition for Clean Air links a cleaning solvent used by 95 percent of dry cleaners in Southern California to cancer, and calls on the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) to phase out the chemical faster than proposed in an upcoming rulemaking.

The report, “Hung Out to Dry,” publicizes that the solvent used in dry cleaning, perchloroethylene (perc), is a known carcinogen. Perc is associated with multiple types of cancer, reproductive disorders, damage to the liver and kidneys, defects to the brain and nervous system, as well as acute effects such as nausea and irritation to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.

Even the newest and latest “fifth generation” perc machines may not be able to meet the maximum individual cancer risk of 25-in-1,000,000 established by the AQMD, or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standard for acceptable cancer risk of 1-in-1,000,000, the report reveals.

As an alternative to dry cleaning, the Coalition for Clean Air endorses a safe, non-toxic wet cleaning process that is comparable in price, and produces no smog-forming emissions or hazardous waste.

“For the health of cleaners, customers, and our communities, we must transition to alternatives like wet cleaning over the next 10 years, instead of the air district’s proposed 16 years,” said Todd Campbell, Policy Director of the Coalition for Clean Air. “A 10-year phase out gives cleaners the chance to transition while protecting public health”, said Campbell.

Makers of perc, and others in the chemical industry are fighting SCAQMD’s proposed Rule 1421, which goes before the board on November 1.

“Perc is absorbed into the blood stream through inhalation, through perc contaminated food, water, or breast milk, from the skin’s direct contact with the chemical, and even from contact with the vapor in the air ”, said Doctor Kirk Murphy, a Board Member of Physicians for Social Responsibility. “Because perc can invade the body through so many avenues it is a very dangerous chemical with serious negative health impacts.”

The chemical industry continues to aggressively oppose the phase-out of this toxic chemical, and has tried to pit public health against mom and pop businesses. “The Coalition for Clean Air’s report dispels the myth that cleaners have to choose between health and making a living,” said Campbell.

Some cleaners have successfully switched to professional wet cleaning. Eli Gichon, owner of Eli’s Airport Cleaners in Van Nuys, says the quality of cleaning has not changed since he transitioned a 100% of his operations to wet cleaning, and he can clean a full range of garments – meaning no garment has to be sent to another cleaner. “Wet cleaning has not cost me more in labor, and the machine is actually more efficient. I have been able to keep my prices the same, and my main employee who used to get sick quite often, has been much healthier,” said Gichon. “I’m very happy with this cleaning process, it doesn’t smell, and I know that I’m helping to protect my customers and workers.”

Gichon participated in an AQMD assistance program that helped cleaners switch to wet cleaning though grants for equipment and training. The Coalition for Clean Air’s report advocates for incentives for cleaners that adopt wetcleaning or another nontoxic process using carbon dioxide.

Ed Begley Jr., actor-environmentalist and Coalition for Clean Air Board Member states, “Perc is estimated to have contaminated one out of every ten public drinking water wells in California, costing the state up to $3 billion in clean up. This points to one thing: health and the economy are not oppositional forces. We need to have healthy drinking water, food, and air in order to be productive workers. Perc is dangerous to our health and our pockets. We must phase it out and turn to positive alternatives that do work.”

“Hung Out to Dry” gives suggestions for people who want to protect themselves from perc:

• Talk to your cleaner about what method of cleaning is used. A guide with questions for cleaners can be downloaded from the Coalition for Clean Air website. Use it to have a meaningful conversation with your cleaner about this problem.
• If the clothes are cleaned using perc, one should take the plastic cover off and air the clothes outside before wearing them or placing them in a closet to reduce the risk of perc exposure.

For a list of wet cleaners, or to download “Hung Out to Dry” visit the Coalition for Clean Air website at www.coalitionforcleanair.org.

The Coalition for Clean Air, which brought national attention to the dangers diesel school buses pose to children, is dedicated to restoring clean, healthful air to California by advocating responsible public health policy, providing technical and educational expertise, and promoting broad-based community involvement.

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