Solvents Used in Dry Cleaning

Chemicals called solvents are used in the dry-cleaning business. Many different solvents are used, and they are all hazardous.

History

The first solvents were imported to the United States in the late 19th century and were commonly used by the early 20th century. Dry cleaners have discontinued use of many of the chemicals once used as dry cleaning solvents because of various hazards.

Features

The two types of solvents commonly used in the United States are petroleum-based and chlorinated solvents. According to the Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance, perchloroethylene (PCE) is the most common solvent, used by 70 percent of commercial dry cleaners in 2007.

Hazards

Dry-cleaning solvents are highly toxic and cause air and water pollution and hazardous waste.

Regulations

Solvents are regulated under a number of federal laws including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act. New York and California have regulations that are more stringent than the federal ones.

Solutions

Some green dry-cleaning companies do not use chemical solvents; rather, they use biodegradable cleaning detergents and special cleaning equipment to treat clothes that must be dry cleaned.

References

• DryCleanCoalition.org: Chemicals Used in Drycleaning Operations, July 2002, Revised June 2009
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Profile of the Dry Cleaning Industry, Second Section
• EcoClean