California Phases out Perc for Dry Cleaning

As long time Impact Analysis readers (all five of you) know, I was on a tear for awhile about perchloroethylene used in dry cleaning (see here, here and here). Perc is the backbone of the dry cleaning industry, which is filled with low-income small businesses. Yet at the same time, dry cleaning is a pathway for exposing millions of Americans to low levels of perchloroethylene. Perc is probably carcinogenic in humans, but at the same time, an apparently relatively low potency carcinogen. However, even a low-potency carcinogen that most everyone is exposed to represents an environmental health matter warranting further scrutiny.

The California Air Resources Board has cut through all of the handwringing, and has amended the Dry Cleaning Air Toxics Control Measure to phase out perchloroethylene use by 2023. The phase-out would happen gradually, replacing the older, less efficient machines first. A training program also will be implemented to have trained operators of dry cleaning machines in all shops in the interim.

According to the ARB’s Initial Statement of Rulemaking, the individual risks from perchloroethylene exposure from dry cleaning emissions was not large – the highest estimated lifetime cancer risk was 75 in a million, for someone located 20 meters downwind from a shop with an older, less efficient dry cleaning machine which emitted higher levels of perc (keep in mind that someone generally doesn’t spend their lifetime at this one location). This risk estimate doesn’t include the doses that dry cleaning customers receive through offgassing from bringing home freshly dry cleaned clothes, a source of exposure that’s potentially more significant.

There’s the usual whining about businesses – in this case, small businesses – being hit harder by a perc ban. However, dry cleaners historically have made the shift from flammable petroleum hydrocarbons, to hepatotoxic carbon tetrachloride to perchloroethylene. In addition, the state appears to be making an effort to assist the industry in converting over to other cleaning agents. Some make the argument that the health risks from perchloroethylene are slight and do not warrant a ban on its use. That’s a point that will continue to be debated, but state, federal and international authorities appear satisfied that perchloroethylene is a probable human carcinogen, and there’s evidence that exposure to it is widespread. Eliminating it from dry cleaning can reduce that exposure. There is a more important issue, though. Perchloroethylene (PCE) in dry cleaning is a poster child for the cause of finding alternatives to toxic chemicals in commerce, in today’s market-driven environment. As a society, if we can’t summon the collective will to solve the problem of implementing lower-risk fabric care products in place of PCE, we’re going to have real problems dealing with other widespread substances with health concerns, such as phthalates or bisphenol-A.

So, let’s hear it for the state of California. Once again, it’s an example of a state blazing a trail where the Federal government (particularly under younger Bush) fears to go.