FAQs About the Potential Dry Cleaning Health Hazards

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https://kellysdrycleaners.com/blog/faqs-about-potential-dry-cleaning-health-hazards/
FAQs About Potential Dry
Cleaning Health Hazards
B L O G  |  K E L L Y ' S  D R Y  C L E A N E R S
https://kellysdrycleaners.com/
Dry cleaning, though it does not involve
water, still uses other liquid solvents to clean
fabrics. Some of these solvents are hazardous
and can, in the wrong circumstances, pose
serious health 
risks 
and harm 
the
environment.
With this in mind, it is easy to ask: is dry
cleaning safe? What is the most notorious dry
cleaning solvent available? How much of it
remains on your clothes? Can it affect
workers in dry cleaning shops? Read on to
learn more.
What Is Dry Cleaning, and How Does it
Work?
Dry cleaning is an ancient practice. The
materials used 
for 
it have 
changed
dramatically over time. Previously, Romans
used ammonia extracted from lye, urine, and
clay to clean garments. However, by the dawn
of the modern era, in the 1820’s, most
cleaners 
switched 
to 
chemicals 
like
petroleum, benzene, and turpentine. These
did a fair job in removing stains but were
blatantly toxic to humans and (are also
flammable).
It was during WWII when shortages of
these natural petrochemicals started. This
led to the popularity of perchloroethylene
or PERC in dry cleaning. This synthetic
chemical is also commonly used in paint
stripping, metalworking, and industrial
degreasing. Since then, it has become the
most common dry cleaning solution.
What Are the Potential Dry Cleaning
Health Hazards Associated with PERC?
The extent of possible side effects from PERC
will depend on the amount used and the
duration of exposure. People who were
exposed to high levels of PERC, even for brief
periods, may complain of the following
symptoms:
Confusion
Dizziness
Fatigue
Headaches
Nausea
Eye, lung, mucous membrane, and skin
irritation
Repeated exposure to PERC can also damage
the liver and lungs.
Studies in laboratory animals show that
exposure to high amounts of PERC can also
affect a developing fetus. Birth defects, altered
growth, and even miscarriage may ensue.
Unfortunately, studies on humans are limited
and inconclusive.
Can PERC cause cancer? Laboratory studies
showed that PERC caused cancer in mice
after inhalation or swallowing. There has also
been a casual association between PERC
exposure and increased risk of certain types
of cancer among workers in laundry and dry
cleaning shops. As this chemical easily
evaporates, they can contaminate the air in
dry cleaning shops, especially if:
The dry cleaning machines are poorly
maintained;
There are equipment leaks;
Waste materials containing PERC are not
segregated and disposed properly; and
Clothes are not completely processed.
Aside from the amount, frequency, and
duration of PERC exposure, the individual’s
health status, age, lifestyle, and family history
are also large considerations.
Experts 
are 
continuously 
conducting
comprehensive, in-depth assessments about
the health effects of PERC on humans.
Is It Safe to Wear Dry Cleaned Clothes?
As consumers of dry cleaning services, you
may be exposed to low levels of PERC,
especially if your clothes were improperly
processed. However, these amounts are not
expected to be hazardous to an average
person’s health. You are less likely to get
cancer unless you have other risk factors.
You can also tell by smell alone whether all
the solvent has been removed from your
clothes. If you think that your clothes were
not rinsed properly, ask your dry cleaner to
re-process your order or bring them to a more
reliable shop.
What Are the Possible Alternatives?
New dry cleaning equipment or regular
cleaning and maintenance can significantly
decrease exposure to PERC. For example, the
use of “dry to dry” machines, which wash and
dry garments in a single unit, will prevent the
need to transfer wet clothes from a washer to
a dryer. This definitely lowers the exposure of
dry cleaners to PERC.
Work practice controls can also help reduce
workers’ exposure. The use of personal
protective gear (PPE) greatly helps as well.
Of course, switching to pure organic dry
cleaning is one of the best solutions! Green
dry cleaners use alternative methods that do
not involve PERC. Instead, they use carbon
dioxide, hydrocarbon, and silicon, which are
gentler and safer solvents.
If you need help dry cleaning your clothes,
look no further! Kelly’s Dry Cleaners
invests in quality machines and solutions,
and we perform regular maintenance on our
equipment to safeguard the health of our
workers and consumers. We are your best
choice if you are looking for Durango, CO Dry
Cleaners.
Durango, CO
(970) 903-1642
Farmington, NM
(505) 564-3333
PHONE NUMBERS
https://kellysdrycleaners.com/
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