Substance and Sources:

What is Perchloroethylene (PERC)?

Perchloroethylene (PERC) also known as PCE, perchloroethene, tetrachloroethylene, and tetrachloroethene is a man-made chlorocarbon. It is a colorless liquid produced by a handful of companies worldwide. 

Common Sources:

Perchloroethylene (PERC) is primarily used in dry cleaning and is often referred to as dry cleaning fluid. It is also used in some degreasers, paint strippers, and in some laundry spot removers.

Exposure to PERC generally comes from inhalation of vapors from clothes that have been dry cleaned or from working or living near a dry cleaner using PERC. PERC can also be absorbed through the skin when in direct contact with clothes that have been dry cleaned or from absorption while using degreasers, paint strippers, and spot removers containing PERC. PERC has been shown to end up in water and dirt as a result of chemical dumping.

Effects of PERC on Health

PERC is a central nervous system depressant which, if inhaled in large quantities can cause headache, dizziness, nausea, and unconsciousness. PERC can also be absorbed through the skin where it can dissolve fat.

Several studies have shown an association between PERC exposure and some kinds of cancer including malignant lymphoma, oesophageal cancer, cervical cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, urinary bladder cancer and leukemia. PERC exposure has also been linked with an increased risk of long term problems with attention and with mental illness among children born to parents occupationally exposed to PERC.


Avoiding PERC: Living the Science Recommendations and Resources

Avoiding PERC appears to be best accomplished by avoiding exposure from dry cleaned clothes. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 85 percent of the nation’s estimated 36,000 dry-cleaning shops still use PERC - even those that advertise "environmentally friendly" cleaning methods. Such a discrepancy may be due to the fact that some cleaners use PERC and other safer methods - in part, because they may rely on a combination of older and newer equipment.

The safest method of dry cleaning is "wet" dry cleaning which involves washing garments with water and biodegradable detergents in a controlled environment that prevents shrinkage and damage. Finding a wet dry cleaner requires some effort. One way to find a cleaner is to consult an online listing of wet dry cleaners. The lists are generally incomplete but a good place to start. One resource is nodryclean.com which allows you to search for a "wet" dry cleaner by zip code. 

Other resources:

Hundred of books about toxins and health including many that examine the effect of PERC on health are contained in the Living the Science Clean & Green Marketplace which also includes hundreds of choices of PERC free cleaners and solvents.

You can also buy many products directly from Amazon.com including:

Organic solvents and cleaners: