Number

038-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

Tetrachloroethylene, a hazardous human carcinogen and endocrine disruptor, is widely used in dry cleaning systems. Tetrachloroethylene also causes a number of other adverse effects to human health and to the environment. In this substitution experience the substance was eliminated by an alternative “wet cleaning” system in a laundry shop in the U.S.

Substituted substances

Alternative Substances

Reliability of information

Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication

Reason substitution

CMR
ecotoxicity

Other type of alternative

Professional wet cleaning

Hazard Assessment

Substance to be substituted: Tetrachloroethylene is probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A), according to the IARC Monographs and it fulfils the criteria to be listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria (SDSC). Alternative substance: The alternative water is generally considered as a safe substance.

Description of Substitution

Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) is widely used as solvent to clean delicate garments, but it is a very toxic substance: carcinogen, endocrine disruptor and causes long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. The company, Del Rey Cleaners, in USA, therefore decided to substitute dry cleaning with PCE by a professional wet cleaning system. In this system water is the only solvent used. Professional wet cleaning is the most commercially available non-toxic alternative to dry cleaning. It is a water-based process that uses computer-controlled washers and dryers, and specialised tensioning finishing equipment to restore shape and form. In this case the company decided to eliminate the use of the solvent because of a regulatory change in the region (Los Angeles). Del Rey Cleaners installed a 40-pound professional wet clean washer and 75-pound professional wet clean dryer. The cooling tower system and two older presses, one for jackets/tops and one for pants, were removed. Two new pieces of finishing equipment were added: a tensioning pants topper and a tensioning form finisher for jackets and tops. A natural gas water heater was also installed to provide hot water to the washer. The switch to professional wet cleaning did not affect the rest of the equipment in the facility. Advantages: The case study of Del Rey Cleaners revealed that electricity use, natural gas use, and water use were all substantially lower when the cleaner processed garments in the professional wet cleaning system compared to when the cleaner processed garments using the PCE dry cleaning system. Specifically, electricity use was 60% lower (30.1 vs. 12.0 kWh/100 pounds cleaned), natural gas use was 19% lower (22.0 vs. 15.9 therms/100 lb.), and water use was 52% lower (181 vs. 87 gallons/100 lb.). The higher water use rate in PCE dry cleaning at Del Rey Cleaners was attributed to a broken cooling tower float valve. Disadvantages: Not recommended for woollen items due to shrinkage problems. More detergent, gas and electricity costs than PER

Case/substitution evaluation

This case story describes a situation where a hazardous solvent could be replaced with water. In addition, the water-based system showed better energy efficiency than the old system. This case study shows a successful substitution. The alternative has no risks for human health, when used correctly.

State of implementation

Full capacity

Date and place of implementation

2003 USA

Availability ofAlternative

On the market

Type of information supplier

Research

Type of publication and availability

Freely available

Publication source: author, company, institute, year

The document is authored by the Environment Agency Austria in cooperation with the Belgian Federal Public Service and the Polish Bureau for Chemical Substances and Preparations.

Publication source

Type of publication and availability

http://www.srpnet.com/energy/powerwise/business/pdfx/sws/LADWP.pdf

Date, reviewed

December 11, 2020