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Page last reviewed: 04/13/2005
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Dry Cleaning
Hazards such as chemical, fire, and ergonomic-related are
associated with dry cleaning processes. Exposure to hazardous chemicals commonly used in dry cleaning shops
may occur through skin absorption, eye contact, or
inhalation of the vapors. Perchloroethylene (PERC), a potential human
carcinogen, is the most commonly used dry cleaning solvent. Symptoms associated
with exposure include: depression of the central nervous system; damage to the
liver and kidneys; impaired memory; confusion; dizziness; headache; drowsiness;
and eye, nose, and throat irritation. Repeated dermal exposure may result in
dermatitis.
OSHA does not have a specific compliance standard for dry cleaning.
However, due to most dry cleaning industries using perchloroethylene (PERC), exposures
related to dry cleaning hazards are addressed in specific standards for general
industries.
OSHA Standards
This section highlights OSHA requirements related to dry cleaning,
including standards and
standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards).
Note:
Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have
OSHA-approved
State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are
identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this
industry or may have different enforcement
policies.
General Industry (29 CFR 1910)
Standard Interpretations
Hazard Recognition
Dry cleaning shops contain all elements necessary for uncontrolled fires: fuels, ignition sources, and
oxygen. Potential combustible materials include furniture, garments, lint, and portions of the building. The greatest
risk of fire and explosion exists if the dry cleaning shop uses a petroleum-based solvent in dry cleaning machines.
Ergonomic risks occur during garment transfer, pressing, and bagging. These
activities, combined with a high work rate and frequency, may cause physical
discomfort and musculoskeletal problems for workers. Disorders may include
damage to tendons, muscles, nerves, and ligaments of the hand, wrist, arm,
shoulder, neck, and back.
The following
references aid in recognizing hazards associated with dry cleaning.
- 1,1,2-Trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane.
OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin (HIB), (1984, April 23). Discusses the toxicity and health effects associated with
1,1,2-Trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane also referred as
Fluorocarbon 113, Freon 113, FC-113, Refrigerant 113, Ucon 113, or Arklone
R-113.
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Stoddard Solvent.
OSHA Chemical Sampling Information, (2006, August 8).
Provides exposure limits, health factors, and monitoring information for
this dry cleaning solvent.
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Drycleaning.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Workplace Safety and Health
Topic. Provides links to
all NIOSH dry cleaning publications and related articles.
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Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene).
US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Publication No.
76-185, (1976, July). Presents the recommended standard based thereon
which were prepared to meet the need for preventing occupational diseases
arising from exposure to tetrachloroethylene.
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Tetrachloroethylene.
National Institute of Health (NIH), National Toxicology Program, (2011, April 21). Provides testing status information on tetrachloroethylene, a synonymous chemical to perchloroethylene.
Also includes
short and long-term carcinogenicity as well as genetic toxicology information.
- Perchloroethylene [119 KB PDF, 7 pages].
Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance (HSIA), Inc., (2008, November). Discusses the use of perchloroethylene
or perc in drycleaning processes and includes
information about its health effects and regulation.
- Ford, E.S., et al.
"Deaths from Acute Exposure to Trichloroethylene." Journal of Occupational Environmental Medicine 37.6(1995,
June): 749-754. Advises employers to ensure that their employees are adequately
trained in the dangers of working with trichloroethylene (TCE), that adequate
ventilation of the working environment is provided, that the proper personal
protective equipment (PPE) is available to their workers, and that workers
should not work alone or unobserved when using TCE in confined spaces.
- Goldenhar, Linda, et al. "Concerns of the Dry-Cleaning Industry: A Qualitative Investigation of Labor and Management." American Journal of Industrial Medicine 35.2(1999, February):112-123. Describes dry cleaning owners’ and workers’ concerns regarding health and safety and whether certain health
and safety practices might or might not be followed. This information could be used to determine what
motivational techniques might be useful for influencing employer and employee safety and health
behaviors.
- Ruder, Avima, Elizabeth Ward, and David Brown.
"Mortality in dry-cleaning workers: an update." American Journal of Industrial Medicine 39.2(2001, February):121-132. Discusses the excess cancer mortality found in dry cleaning workers exposed to perchloroethylene (PCE), a known animal carcinogen and
probable human carcinogen. Many of these workers also had exposure to Stoddard
solvent, a petroleum-based dry cleaning solvent.
Possible Solutions
Engineering and work practice controls are the first line
of defense against dry cleaning hazards. For instances where engineering and work
practice controls cannot reduce employee exposure, personal protective equipment
(PPE) is used. The following references aid in the control and prevention of hazards in the dry cleaning industry.
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Control of Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Commercial Drycleaning. US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-154
(HC16), (1998, March 2). Includes information on reducing exposure to dry cleaning solvents, suggests
engineering measures, work practices, and personal protection.
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Control of Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Commercial Drycleaning (Substitution).
US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Publication No. 97-155 (HC17), (1998, March 2). Also available as a 71 KB
PDF,
4 pages.
Covers the potential alternatives to dry cleaning with perchloroethylene,
wet cleaning, petroleum-based dry cleaning, and liquid carbon dioxide methods.
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Control of Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Commercial Drycleaning (Machine Design).
US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Publication No. 97-156 (HC18), (1998, March 2). Also available as a 446 KB
PDF,
4 pages.
Discusses how modern dry cleaning machines may dramatically reduce exposures, save money in
solvent costs, and permit easier compliance with safety, health and environmental regulations.
- Control of Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Commercial Drycleaning (Ventilation).
US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Publication No. 97-157 (HC19), (1997, December 23). Also available as a 104 KB
PDF,
4 pages.
Covers the different types of ventilation. Effective ventilation is
one of the potentially least expensive engineering control options for reducing worker exposures to perchloroethylene (PERC).
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Control of Spotting Chemical Hazards In Commercial Drycleaning. US Department
of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Publication No. 97-158 (HC20), (1998, March 2). Also available as a 66 KB
PDF,
3 pages.
Discusses the isolation of process, ventilation, work practices, and personal protective equipment.
- Control of Fire Hazards in Commercial Drycleaning Shops Using Petroleum-Based Solvents.
US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Publication No. 97-159 (HC21), (1998, March 2). Also available as an 88 KB
PDF,
3 pages.
Contains information regarding new solvents and new machines, building protective features, fire safety systems, and handling combustible liquids.
- Control of Ergonomic Hazards in Commercial Drycleaning.
US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Publication No. 97-160 (HC22), (1998, March 2). Also available as a 68
KB PDF,
4 pages.
Lists several engineering measures and work practices are recommended to control
ergonomic hazards during garment transfer, pressing, and bagging activities in commercial dry cleaning.
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Control of Health and Safety Hazards in Commercial Drycleaners: Chemical Exposures, Fire Hazards, and Ergonomic Risk Factors.
US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Publication No.
97-150, (1997, December). Presents research findings and
provides guidance to regulatory agencies and owners of dry cleaning shops
regarding hazard control measures.
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Multiprocess Wet Cleaning: Cost and Performance Comparison of Conventional Dry Cleaning and an Alternative Process.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Document No. 744S93004, (1993, September). Provides a summary comparing the economic feasibility of
switching to a wet clean system and discusses topics such as price, performance, and other limitations.
- Summary of a Report on Multiprocess Wet Cleaning. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Document No. 744S94001, (1994, June). Provides information using layperson's terms comparing a wet cleaning to a dry cleaning facility, including diagrams.
- Earnest, G, et al. "An evaluation of retrofit engineering control interventions to reduce perchloroethylene exposures in commercial dry cleaning
shops."
Applied Occupational Environmental Hygiene 17.2(2002, February):104-111.
Discusses real-time monitoring used to evaluate the ability of
engineering control devices retrofitted on two existing drycleaning machines to reduce worker exposures to
perchloroethylene. Abstract only.
Additional Information
Related Safety and Health Topics Pages
Additional Resources
- Resource Guide.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), (2001, June). Lists numerous government and non-government organizations
including national trade associations and public interest groups. These
organizations provide helpful service to garment care professionals and others
interested in garment care issues.
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Resources.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Pollution Prevention Information
Clearinghouse (PPIC). Provides free information dedicated to reducing and
eliminating industrial pollutants through technology transfer, source reduction,
education and public awareness.
- Profile of the Dry Cleaning Industry [823 KB PDF, 95 pages].
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), (1995, September). Developed by
EPA's Office of Compliance, this industry notebook contains detailed information
on various topics that might be of interest to safety and health professionals.
It includes an industrial process description, a comprehensive environmental
profile, innovative control programs, contacts, and a list of bibliographic
references.
Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at (202) 693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.
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