Personal Injury Law

Iowa Workers' Compensation - PERC - Introduction to dry cleaning worker hazards

By Steve Lombardi

Dry cleaning is believed to have started in France in the year 1825. A worker spilled lamp oil, a flammable petroleum-based solvent, on a soiled tablecloth. After drying the garment was clean. Over time the dry cleaning industry used turpentine or kerosene then benzene and onto gasoline. Risk of fire caused the industry to move onto other solvents that included carbon tetrachloride. Carbon tetrachloride was replaced in the 1940s and 1950s with trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene. Tetrachloroethylene is also commonly known as "perchloroethylene" (PERC).

Today, approximately 90% of U.S. drycleaners use PERC in their machines. PERC (C2Cl4) is a colorless, clear, heavy liquid with an ethereal odor. The odor threshold is approximately 30 parts per million (ppm). However, because significant adverse health effects have been discovered, many countries have imposed stringent regulations for the control of PERC exposures and emissions. A study done by NIOSH in the late 70's early 80's identified dry cleaning small businesses as the second highest risk behind auto body shops.

Dry cleaning workers are exposed to hazards in several ways including PERC exposure, spotting chemical exposure, ergonomic risk factors and fire hazards.

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on February 01, 2008 (boomark / email).