Home > RAE Systems Gas Monitors > Dry Cleaning / Perchloroethylene
Dry Cleaning / Perchloroethylene
Detection and Monitoring
RAE Systems PID monitors offer a simple and convenient method to insure that dry cleaning equipment performs as designed, keeping PERC vapors contained. This is not only important for employee health, but will keep insurance companies and Clean Air inspectors happy. Here in Northern California, we have sold many of these to comply with EPA inspection guidelines.
RAE Systems PID monitors offer a simple and convenient method to insure that dry cleaning equipment performs as designed, keeping PERC vapors contained. This is not only important for employee health, but will keep insurance companies and Clean Air inspectors happy. Here in Northern California, we have sold many of these to comply with EPA inspection guidelines.
Dry Cleaning / Perchloroethylene
Our Price:$3,900.00 |
The ToxiRAE PID is a diffusion instrument that has proven very popular due to the low price point. Many Federal, State and local government agencies have specified the ToxiRAE PID for on-site inspection of commercial facilities. Also, many cleaning plant owners have purchased this item to have their own means of verifying compliance with emission regulations. The MiniRAE 2000 offers increased sensitivity and a sample draw pump that is helpful in locating leaks.
NIOSH Hazard Control Guidelines
Control of Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Commercial Drycleaning
Perchloroethylene (PERC) is the most commonly used drycleaning solvent. PERC can enter the body through respiratory and dermal exposure. Symptoms associated with exposure include: depression of the central nervous system; damage to the liver and kidneys; impaired memory; confusion; dizziness; headache; drowsiness; and eye, nose, and throat irritation. Repeated dermal exposure may result in dermatitis. NIOSH considers PERC a potential human carcinogen.
To reduce exposure to dry-cleaning solvents, a comprehensive control approach should be followed involving engineering measures, work practices, and personal protection. Engineering measures are the preferred and most effective means of control and should generally be considered first.
MATERIAL SUBSTITUTION
Technologies are available to reduce dramatically occupational exposures to PERC in the commercial dry cleaning industry. Alternative cleaning media, such as wet cleaning and petroleum-based solvents and machines, are available and effective. Several studies report that 30% to 70% of garments dry cleaned using PERC can be wet cleaned satisfactorily while controlling fabric deterioration and shrinkage. For more information about Substitution, see HC17, NIOSH Publication No. 97-155.
ISOLATION
Large dry cleaning companies should use satellite stores that do not perform dry cleaning on the premises. When possible, new shops should be located in stand-alone buildings to reduce the risk of contaminating adjacent apartment buildings or food stores.
Within shops, dry-cleaning machines should be isolated from other work areas. Because the majority of PERC emissions originate at the machine, isolating employees from the dry-cleaning machines will reduce exposures.
MACHINE DESIGN
Loading and unloading the dry-cleaning machine are the greatest sources of worker exposure. Modern dry-cleaning machines with both a refrigerated condenser and carbon adsorber are available to reduce exposures during machine loading and unloading. They reduce full-shift PERC exposures to below 5 parts per million (ppm), save money in solvent costs, and permit easier compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations. For more information about Machine Design, see HC 18, NIOSH Publication No. 97-156.
MAINTENANCE
Proper maintenance is important for reducing exposures and increasing the life and performance of the machine. Maintenance should be done properly to prevent the performance of the dry-cleaning machine from degrading, which might result in increased solvent exposures. Maintenance activities that are particularly important in reducing solvent exposures include ensuring vapor recovery systems are in good working order and checking for liquid and vapor leaks on equipment piping and duct work and on the machine. When available, follow the maintenance recommendations from the manufacturer.
Workers should wear proper personal protective equipment (gloves, goggles, and respirators) to reduce exposures to PERC during maintenance activities.
VENTILATION
Proper ventilation in the shop will control worker exposure to PERC and ensure thermal comfort. Ventilation control should be accomplished by capturing and removing the contaminant at or near the source (local ventilation) or by diluting the concentration of the contaminant before it reaches the worker's breathing zone (general ventilation). Local ventilation should be used in dry-cleaning shops to reduce worker exposure during machine loading and unloading and while performing maintenance. Dry-cleaning machines with an integral exhaust system should have an inward air velocity through the loading door of 100 feet per minute (fpm) and should be passed through a control device containing activated carbon to recover solvent vapors. General ventilation should be used to add fresh air or remove air to dilute background PERC concentrations; a complete air change should occur in the work room every 5 minutes. For more information about Ventilation, see HC 19, NIOSH Publication No. 97-157.
WORK PRACTICES
Operators should not open the door of the dry-cleaning machine while it is running. The drying period should not be cut short. The machine door should be closed except during loading and unloading. The operator should keep his or her head out of the machine and should stay as far away from the door during loading and unloading as possible. A tool with a long handle could be used to retrieve clothes at the back of the drum.
Synonyms: tetrachloroethylene, PERC ("perk"), tetrachloroethene, perchlor, ethylene tetrachloride, carbon dichloride, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethylene
Control of Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Commercial Drycleaning
Perchloroethylene (PERC) is the most commonly used drycleaning solvent. PERC can enter the body through respiratory and dermal exposure. Symptoms associated with exposure include: depression of the central nervous system; damage to the liver and kidneys; impaired memory; confusion; dizziness; headache; drowsiness; and eye, nose, and throat irritation. Repeated dermal exposure may result in dermatitis. NIOSH considers PERC a potential human carcinogen.
To reduce exposure to dry-cleaning solvents, a comprehensive control approach should be followed involving engineering measures, work practices, and personal protection. Engineering measures are the preferred and most effective means of control and should generally be considered first.
Technologies are available to reduce dramatically occupational exposures to PERC in the commercial dry cleaning industry. Alternative cleaning media, such as wet cleaning and petroleum-based solvents and machines, are available and effective. Several studies report that 30% to 70% of garments dry cleaned using PERC can be wet cleaned satisfactorily while controlling fabric deterioration and shrinkage. For more information about Substitution, see HC17, NIOSH Publication No. 97-155.
Large dry cleaning companies should use satellite stores that do not perform dry cleaning on the premises. When possible, new shops should be located in stand-alone buildings to reduce the risk of contaminating adjacent apartment buildings or food stores.
Within shops, dry-cleaning machines should be isolated from other work areas. Because the majority of PERC emissions originate at the machine, isolating employees from the dry-cleaning machines will reduce exposures.
Loading and unloading the dry-cleaning machine are the greatest sources of worker exposure. Modern dry-cleaning machines with both a refrigerated condenser and carbon adsorber are available to reduce exposures during machine loading and unloading. They reduce full-shift PERC exposures to below 5 parts per million (ppm), save money in solvent costs, and permit easier compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations. For more information about Machine Design, see HC 18, NIOSH Publication No. 97-156.
Proper maintenance is important for reducing exposures and increasing the life and performance of the machine. Maintenance should be done properly to prevent the performance of the dry-cleaning machine from degrading, which might result in increased solvent exposures. Maintenance activities that are particularly important in reducing solvent exposures include ensuring vapor recovery systems are in good working order and checking for liquid and vapor leaks on equipment piping and duct work and on the machine. When available, follow the maintenance recommendations from the manufacturer.
Workers should wear proper personal protective equipment (gloves, goggles, and respirators) to reduce exposures to PERC during maintenance activities.
Proper ventilation in the shop will control worker exposure to PERC and ensure thermal comfort. Ventilation control should be accomplished by capturing and removing the contaminant at or near the source (local ventilation) or by diluting the concentration of the contaminant before it reaches the worker's breathing zone (general ventilation). Local ventilation should be used in dry-cleaning shops to reduce worker exposure during machine loading and unloading and while performing maintenance. Dry-cleaning machines with an integral exhaust system should have an inward air velocity through the loading door of 100 feet per minute (fpm) and should be passed through a control device containing activated carbon to recover solvent vapors. General ventilation should be used to add fresh air or remove air to dilute background PERC concentrations; a complete air change should occur in the work room every 5 minutes. For more information about Ventilation, see HC 19, NIOSH Publication No. 97-157.
Operators should not open the door of the dry-cleaning machine while it is running. The drying period should not be cut short. The machine door should be closed except during loading and unloading. The operator should keep his or her head out of the machine and should stay as far away from the door during loading and unloading as possible. A tool with a long handle could be used to retrieve clothes at the back of the drum.
Synonyms: tetrachloroethylene, PERC ("perk"), tetrachloroethene, perchlor, ethylene tetrachloride, carbon dichloride, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethylene
