DRY CLEANING

HAZARDOUS CONSTITUENT POSSIBLE EFFECTS
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE Destructive to liver, kidney, and central nervous system by inhalation, absorption, skin contact, or ingestion
PERCHLOROETHYLENE Fumes are carcinogenic and acutely toxic, causing dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, loss of appetite and disorientation
TRICHLOROETHANE Irritating to eyes and nose, can result in central nervous system depression and kidney damage
NAPHTHAS Inhalation causes drowsiness, headache, coma and cardiac arrest; irritate eyes, throat and skin
BENZENE Destroys ability to produce blood cells, can cause leukemia; flammable; carcinogen
TOLUENE Produces headache, nausea, narcosis, central nervous system depression

Carbon tetrachloride, now banned from household products, was the favorite solvent cleaner used in these products. A leading substitute, perchloroethylene or PERC, is a volatile, nonflammable solvent, that is fatal in large doses. There is concern over the chronic inhalation of perchloroethylene. The primary effect from acute and chronic inhalation of vapors is depression of the central nervous system. Other toxic chemicals often found in spot removing products include trichloroethane, ethylene dichloride, naphtha, benzene, and toluene. For specific health effects of these ingredients please refer to the individual headings. All of these solvents present an inhalation and ingestion hazard. Some also present a hazard through skin absorption.

Use: Wear nitrile gloves and arrange your work so that the fumes are blowing away from you. Do not allow children or pets into the room where you are working. Keep the lid on the fluid product as much as possible to avoid the solvent from volatilizing and being breathed. If you spill spot remover or dry-cleaning fluid on your skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water. If the solvent spills and puddles, absorb it with kitty litter and throw the wet absorbent material in a trash can outdoors. Never use dry-cleaning fluid or spot remover in a washing machine or put articles that are damp with solvent in a dryer. When you bring clothes home that have been dry-cleaned, take the plastic bag off and allow the clothes to air out well before wearing. When using a dry cleaning machine, to reduce vapors allow the door to remain ajar for a few minutes after the operation is complete. The solvent will evaporate quickly. Remove garments from the machine and allow to cool before handling.

Storage: Store away from heat and flames in a box lined with plastic bags.

Disposal: Currently available means offer no good way to dispose of leftover dry-cleaning fluid or spot remover. These solvents should be disposed of by a licensed hazardous waste handler or saved for a professional household hazardous waste collection. The best way to eliminate a waste problem is to carefully use up these products as they were intended.

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