Press Release
January 25, 2007
Contact: Annette Kondo
213-630-1192 x. 103
818-599-4911 (cell)
Annette@coalitionforcleanair.org
State Air Board on Thursday Can Strengthen Its Proposal to Protect Californians Sooner From Toxic Dry Cleaning Chemical
SACRAMENTO – On Jan. 25, the California Air Resources Board has an opportunity to truly protect all Californians from a toxic dry cleaning chemical, perchloroethylene, also known as perc.
California Proposition 65 has classified perc as a chemical known to cause cancer. It is estimated to have contaminated 1 in 10 public drinking wells in California. And, according to federal EPA data, it is one of the top 10 most toxic air contaminants in the state.
Last May, the Air Board took the important first step in deciding to phase out perc, an action that will shape the future of the dry cleaning industry beyond California. But their current 15-year phaseout proposal, which will be voted on at their Jan. 25 meeting can be strengthened to protect Californians sooner. (See fact sheet: http://www.coalitionforcleanair.org/pdf/factsheets/CCA-factsheet-PERC-hung-out-to-dry-new.pdf)
The Coalition for Clean Air – and more than 35 statewide health, air and community groups – are asking the Air Board to strengthen their proposal and:
- Approve a 10-year phaseout of perc, instead of its 15-year phaseout in the current proposal.
- Phase out new systems that use hydrocarbon solvents, because they cause smog.
- Require all perc dry cleaners within 300 feet of residential buildings, schools, medical facilities and other sensitive areas to be phased out by 2010.
“The Air Board can ensure the future success of clothes cleaners and protect the health of all Californians by making these changes to their perc phaseout proposal,” said Luis Cabrales, campaign and outreach associate for the Coalition for Clean Air.
Many statewide health, community and environmental groups have joined the Coalition for Clean Air to ask for a stronger perc phaseout proposal including: Natural Resources Defense Council, California Communities Against Toxics, American Lung Association of California, Southern California Watershed Alliance, Worksafe and Physicians for Social Responsibility
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