Peace and Environment News* June 1995
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Peace and Environment News * June 1995 |
by Hazel Jack
"The use of perchloroethylene by dry cleaners is causing widespread harm to the health of workers, people living near dry cleaning shops, the general public and the global environment."
—from Dressed to Kill, a Greenpeace/Pollution Probe report on the dangers of dry cleaning
For years environmentalists have been warning of the health and environmental dangers of using the solvent perchloroethylene, commonly called perc, in dry cleaning. Perc is an organochlorine.
According to a February 1994 letter from Pollution Probe to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, "perchloroethylene comprises as much as 90 percent of chlorinated solvent emissions from the dry cleaning industry in Ontario. It is a known toxin and suspected carcinogen and a source of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which, when combined with NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions, result in ground-level ozone formation." Ozone is a major component of smog. It has damaging effects on the lungs and aggravates chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma. Annual perc emissions in Ontario are estimated at 3.3 million kg.
But good news could be on the way. A new program may soon make it possible to "green clean" our clothes using a water-based technique that replaces conventional harmful dry-cleaning practices.
The Green Clean Project, started in 1993, is a cooperative effort by governments, industry and non-government environmental organizations to establish a viable alternative to conventional dry cleaning.
The project is being coordinated by Environment Canada, the Ontario Fabricare Association, the Korean Dry Cleaners Association and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Energy. Together they developed a three-year voluntary pollution prevention initiative for Ontario dry cleaners. The project's aim is to reduce and possibly eliminate the use of chlorinated solvents, particularly perc, by promoting water-based cleaning, known as Green Cleaning (a trademark of Environment Canada).
In Green Cleaning, carefully selected water-based agents are used instead of conventional dry-cleaning solvents. The method used is customized for each garment depending on the type of fabric and degree of cleaning required. The techniques used are: concentrated localized stain removal; full or partial immersion either by hand washing or in specially-programmed machines; extensive steaming, vacuuming and/or tumbling; drip drying or machine drying; finishing by steaming and pressing.
In conventional dry cleaning, clothes are washed with solvents to avoid saturating them with water, since fabrics such as silk, wool and rayon might be damaged if immersed. Used filters and cleaning residues from conventional machines contain solvent and are considered hazardous waste, which can contaminate ground water, air and soil.
Phase One of the Green Clean Project set up a Green Clean depot, funded by Environment Canada, in Toronto last June to "wet clean" clothes. The depot is being used to determine customer acceptance of clothes cleaned with water-based processes. Customer acceptance will determine what percentage of garments presently cleaned with perc or petroleum-based solvents can be successfully cleaned with water.
Phase Two of the Project evaluated the results, including training and technology, and these will be made available to other Ontario cleaners.
Phase Three of the Project will involve building a commercial 100 percent wet cleaning plant, partially funded by government, to service other depots.
A final report on the Green Clean Project was due to be released in early 1995 but has not yet been issued.
Interim results
An interim report was released last August. Preliminary data shows 82 to 97 percent of garments collected at the depot were successfully Green Cleaned.
Customer satisfaction surveys determined the success of Green Cleaning. Customers were given a survey card with each garment cleaned and asked to rate their satisfaction with the cleaning. Of the 177 responses, 98 percent said the clothes were clean overall, and 97 percent said they would have their clothes Green Cleaned again.
The final report will include additional data such as customer satisfaction with conventional dry cleaning, so that comparisons can be made with Green Cleaning.
| Ontario's Environment and Energy Minister announced a new dry cleaning regulation last June which requires dry cleaning operations to have a full-time employee who has taken a special course on the environmental management of dry cleaning equipment and operations. This employee is expected to ensure solvent emissions are as low as possible, and that the dry cleaning equipment is used properly. Wastes from the operation must be disposed of properly. Before this regulation, there was no standard for training operators of dry cleaning equipment. |
Hazel Jack is a regular contributor to the Peace and Environment News.
Converted July 7, 2000 - Lg
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