L.A. Area May Ban Dry Clean Solvent

The Associated Press ^ | SEPTEMBER 17, 2002 | ANDREW BRIDGES -- AP Science Writer

[Willie Green]

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

DIAMOND BAR, Calif. (AP) — Regulators responsible for cleaning up the air breathed by about half of California's population want to phase out the most commonly used dry cleaning solvent, saying it endangers public health.

Their efforts could make the greater Los Angeles area the first place in the nation to ban perchloroethylene, or perc.

But the proposal faces opponents as big as the chemical industry, and as small as the corner dry cleaner.

Dry cleaners say perchloroethylene is a must for clean clothes. But officials with the South Coast Air Quality Management District say it dirties the air, water and soil, and probably causes cancer.

The district's board is expected to vote as early as Nov. 1. If the measure passes, new businesses and those replacing machines would have to use alternatives to perc beginning Jan. 1. The use of perc in existing businesses would be phased out by 2019.

Cities including New York and San Francisco heavily regulate perc's use, but nowhere has it been banned outright, according to the air district.

Among the toxic substances in the Los Angeles region's air, perc is estimated to cause more cases of cancer than anything except diesel exhaust, according to a 2000 air district study.

``To the average person on the street, they have a belief a refinery or power plant is their largest exposure to carcinogenic air contaminants, when in reality, it's a dry cleaner in their community — other than diesel exhaust,'' said Barry Wallerstein, executive director of the clean-air agency.

Alternatives to perc include washing with water and special detergents, hydrocarbon solvents and liquid carbon dioxide. The air district estimates the conversions will cost the industry $4.3 million a year.

The mostly mom-and-pop-owned businesses contend the rule will hit them hard.

The alternatives can require higher capital costs, are more labor-intensive and do not clean as well as perc, said Paul Choe, vice president of the Korean-American Dry Cleaners Association of Southern California. At least half of the dry cleaners in Southern California are owned by Korean-Americans.

``If we had a lot of money, we'd go non-perc, hire more people and use more labor. But most people can't do that,'' said Choe, who owns a Lancaster dry cleaner.

The district has passed bellwether rules that regulate other emissions, including those from house paint, diesel engines and power plants.

The agency has regulated perc since 1980, and progressively tighter rules have cut emissions by about 80 percent.

[Willie Green]

Related thread: Pitt scientists discover cheap CO2 solvent

[EggsAckley]

it dirties the air, water and soil, and probably causes cancer.

Gee.....junk science at its best.

[Jimmy Valentine]

"Bagdad on the Bay" is going to start smelling pretty bad soon.

The material they use for dry cleaning is already heavily regulated as to use and recovery and recycling (almost on the order of Freon).

this is just burgeoning lunacy from the left coast.

Regards,

[socal_parrot]

I werked in a dry cleener for a few yeers several yeers ago. I was arownd Perk dayly and I have no lasting side...what was the qwestion?

[Ben Ficklin]

Perc and other chlorinated solvents are relatively heavy so they don't stay aloft as long and/or disperse as easily.

As for the state's suggestion that hydrocarbon solvents be used, that would be a serious fire hazard.

[RightWhale]

liquid carbon dioxide

Selzer?

[Willie Green]

Selzer?

No, carbonated water CO₂ + H₂O actually forms a weak carbonic acid H₂CO₃. I suppose a weak acid could be used to clean some items, such as light rust removal. But it would not make for a very good, all-around solvent for removing "dirt".

Carbon dioxide does not exist in liquid form at atmospheric pressure at any temperature. The pressure-temperature phase diagram of CO2 shows that liquid carbon dioxide at 20°C requires a pressure of 30 atmospheres. The lowest pressure at which liquid CO2 exists is at the triple point, namely 5.11 atm at –56.6°C. The high pressures needed for liquid CO2 require specialized washing machines.

Source

The link I provided earlier about the Pitt discovery looks promising, but I don't know how close it is to commercialization.

[Dog Gone]

Eventually, California will outlaw human activity altogether.

[Thebaddog]

The BS test is that this regulation will affect the health of about four people.

[tall_tex]

I owned the dry cleaning business that was located just south and the other side of LVB from the Stardust. My second dry cleaning business, the other one was in Denton, Texas in the late 70's. Both cleaning machines were perc based.

I knew in the 80's that this was not a business that I wanted to continue to own. You can be in business one day and the law changes and you are out of business the next.

Does perc cause cancer? Man, I do not know, I hope not.

I do know that you are born, and you die, lots of stuff goes on in between. Some stuff is good, some stuff is not so good. I have had good, and not so good.

Such is life. Tom

[templar]

As for the state's suggestion that hydrocarbon solvents be used, that would be a serious fire hazard.

Didn't they use Naptha originally? Back in the late 19th or early 20th century when dry cleaning first got started?

[Ben Ficklin]

Likely they did use naptha but switched when the chlorinated sovents became available because of the flamibility.

I recall, as a 5th grader in the 50s, a classmate's mother being horribly burned while cleaning clothing with the flammable solvent.

[Jagdgewehr]

Eventually, California will outlaw human activity altogether.

Well, all but one. Flitting down the street dressed in drag once a year will remain a legal and accepted activity.

[Salem]

The Smog Nazis are at it again.....

[socal_parrot]

Wooo baby! The bone left the sound that the make man could plan a day?