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April 9, 2012
Perc Proclamation (Part 1 of 2)

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deems tetrachloroethylene—also known as perchloroethylene, or perc—to be a “likely human carcinogen.” So what does this development mean for the future of the industry’s preferred solvent?

WASHINGTON — When the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted the final health assessment for tetrachloroethylene—also known as perchloroethylene, or perc—to its Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database in February, it deemed the chemical to be a “likely human carcinogen.”

The assessment replaces the 1988 IRIS assessment for perc and for the first time includes a hazard characterization for cancer effects. The assessment underwent several levels of rigorous, independent peer review including: agency review, interagency review, public comment, and external peer review by the National Research Council, according to the EPA, and all major review comments were addressed.

The Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance says 70% of U.S. commercial dry cleaners use perc; EPA estimates the total number to be 27,000. So what does this development mean for the future of the industry’s preferred solvent?

February 13, 2012
EPA Officially Characterizes Perc as ‘Likely Human Carcinogen’

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Friday officially characterized tetrachloroethylene—also known as perchloroethylene (perc)—as a “likely human carcinogen,” but the agency does not believe that wearing clothing dry-cleaned with perc poses a health risk.

EPA issued its final health assessment to its Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database, which describes health effects that may result from exposure to various substances. The assessment provides estimates for both cancer and non-cancer effects associated with exposure to perc over a lifetime.

The agency has already taken several significant actions to reduce exposure to perc. It has clean air standards for dry cleaners that use perc, including requirements that will phase-out the chemical’s use in residential buildings by Dec. 21, 2020.

EPA also set limits for the amount of perc allowed in drinking water, and levels for cleaning up perc at Superfund sites throughout the country, which will be updated in light of the IRIS assessment.

November 1, 2010
HSIA Files Petition with EPA to Classify nPB as Hazardous Air Pollutant

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance (HSIA) filed a petition last week with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to list n-Propyl Bromide (nPB), a brominated hydrocarbon, as a hazardous air pollutant under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act. Such a listing would result in regulation of significant sources of nPB emissions.

July 6, 2010
California Regs Kick in, Take First Casualty

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Regulations mandated by California's Air Resources Board (ARB) requiring the elimination of perchloroethylene machinery older than 15 years went into effect Thursday, forcing at least one longtime operator to close its doors.

January 8, 2010
EPA Proposes Stricter Clean-Air Regs

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed tougher clean-air regulations yesterday in an effort to limit smog nationwide. The move would cost heavy industry up to $90 billion, but save a comparable amount on healthcare, the agency says.

August 19, 2008
Industry Testimony Delays Philadelphia Perc Ban

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Air Pollution Control Board has delayed a proposed ban on perchloroethylene in all co-located facilities, thanks in large part to oral and written comments provided by members of the drycleaning industry, including the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute’s (DLI) Jon Meijer and Dale Kaplan and the Pennsylvania and Delaware Cleaners Association’s (PDCA) Carol Memberg.

March 24, 2008
EPA Issues Stricter Smog Standards

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moved to strengthen air-quality standards earlier this month to cut levels of ground-level ozone (O3), or smog. The new rule establishes a new limit of 75 ppb, down from 85 ppb.

Though the new rule shaves just 10 ppb from the old standard, it will quadruple the number of counties exceeding mandated limits. Groups representing children and the elderly had pressed for an even lower limit of 60 ppb.