Perc Alerts

Dry-cleaning Solvent Classified Correctly

USA Today - Wednesday, February 10, 2010

(AP) The Environmental Protection Agency was correct to classify a dry-cleaning solvent as "likely to be a human carcinogen," according to a review by the independent National Research Council. The solvent — tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene or PERC — contaminates the air, groundwater, surface water and soil, says the report, released Tuesday. It can damage the nervous and reproductive systems, liver and kidneys. People are mostly exposed to PERC by breathing it in the air but also can be exposed through the skin. The EPA aims to estimate the chemical's health effects and to establish standards for clean air and water. — Liz Szabo

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Consumer Alert

Dry cleaning Services Misleadingly Branded as Natural and Organic

Beware of dry cleaners making claims about dry cleaning your clothes using “organic” or “natural” methods. Marketing claims for dry cleaning are not regulated like food claims. The National Cleaners Association, a dry cleaning industry trade group, says some operators are using these terms in blatantly misleading ways.

What is organic dry cleaning?

When a food product has an FDA-regulated “organic” label, consumers can trust that no harmful chemicals were used in its manufacture. But “organic” means something very different when it describes the chemicals used in dry cleaning.

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Green is the New Black.

But do you know the true color of your dry cleaning?

Going green is not just for tree-huggers any more. Everybody is green these days. But unlike fashion trends that go in and out of style, it appears green is here to stay.

To be sure, plenty of Madison Avenue types have overhyped and underwhelmed us with “green” claims about everything from food to fashion. But environmentalists, scientists, regulators, politicians, schools, health professionals and consumers all agree. We have no alternative but to find safe alternatives to the environmentally unsafe practices endangering our planet. So we all try to do our part by eating, shopping and living “green”. But how much do we really know about the green choices we are making?