Proper use of perchloroethylene for dry cleaning clothes is safe for the human body
Release Time:
2012-02-29 16:10
Source:
www.chinalaundry.cn
Recently, multiple media outlets have reported on issues related to tetrachloroethylene dry-cleaned clothes, attracting widespread attention from all sectors of society. The China Commercial Federation's Laundry and Dyeing Professional Committee once held a special seminar on "Whether Using Tetrachloroethylene for Dry Cleaning Clothes is Harmful to Human Health." Relevant laundry and dyeing associations, chemical experts, industry specialists, executives from well-known enterprises, and representatives from CCTV and other media attended the seminar. The seminar discussed topics such as "The current status of tetrachloroethylene as a dry-cleaning solvent in the domestic and international laundry industry," "China's relevant standards for tetrachloroethylene dry-cleaning equipment," and "How to properly operate tetrachloroethylene dry-cleaning equipment." Experts unanimously agreed that "as long as the equipment meets standards and is operated properly, using tetrachloroethylene for dry cleaning clothes is safe."
Since the invention of dry cleaning in Europe over a hundred years ago, various dry cleaning agents have been used, such as gasoline, carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, and trichlorotrifluoroethane. Tetrachloroethylene has been used as a dry cleaning solvent for about 70 years, making it the longest-used dry cleaning agent. Currently, in many developed countries in Europe, Australia, and North America, tetrachloroethylene dry cleaning machines still account for more than 80% of the market share, and the situation in China is roughly the same. Because tetrachloroethylene is an organic solvent with certain toxicity, many countries worldwide have set regulations on the permissible concentration of tetrachloroethylene gas in the workplace environment. The allowable range is between 25 PPM and 50 PPM. China’s standard is 200 mg/m³ (i.e., 27 PPM, GB16204-1996), which aligns with developed countries and is relatively strict.
In 2001, the EU Risk Assessment Center issued regulations targeting some European laundries that had not yet updated to dry cleaning machines meeting new standards. The regulation stipulated that by January 31, 2007, the 56,570 tetrachloroethylene dry cleaning machines under their jurisdiction must meet the relevant standards mentioned above. Additionally, European standards require that the consumption of tetrachloroethylene per kilogram of clothes washed in closed dry cleaning machines does not exceed 20 grams. This ensures that after drying, the residual tetrachloroethylene on clothes is naturally negligible.
Over the past decade or so, the Olympic Games held in Atlanta (USA), Barcelona (Spain), Sydney (Australia), Athens (Greece), and the 29th Olympic Games in Beijing have all used tetrachloroethylene dry cleaning as the main dry cleaning method for the event. Currently, the fully enclosed tetrachloroethylene dry cleaning machines used by some large-scale laundries in China can fully meet the requirements of both China and Europe. It is well known that in our production and daily life, we come into contact with many toxic substances. Paper making, leather production, textiles, printing, cosmetics, grains, fruits, vegetables, and so on all involve exposure to certain amounts of toxic substances during production, planting, and processing. The key is whether the final product meets all quality indicators. The same applies to tetrachloroethylene dry cleaning; the key to safety is whether emissions and human intake are scientifically controlled. Tetrachloroethylene is widely used in our production and service industries, but the proportion used by the laundry industry is very small. Many laundry consumers (including some media workers) do not know much about this.
Since 1985, China has comprehensively introduced tetrachloroethylene dry cleaning in major cities for nearly 30 years. Currently, tetrachloroethylene dry cleaning machines account for about 80% nationwide. Because open-type tetrachloroethylene dry cleaning machines cannot meet emission standards and may cause excessive emissions and residues, they are being gradually phased out. According to relevant national regulations, some local authorities have already formulated or are formulating corresponding management regulations to phase out and update these machines within a set timeframe.
Promoting fully enclosed dry cleaning machines, strengthening management and maintenance, and ensuring that dry cleaning machines operate healthily at all times are prerequisites to prevent solvent emissions from exceeding standards. These are also effective means to control the impact of tetrachloroethylene on human health and the environment. For laundry consumers, choosing a regular laundry shop to clean clothes is safe, whether using tetrachloroethylene solvent or petroleum solvent dry cleaning.
The Laundry and Dyeing Professional Committee will actively cooperate with relevant government departments in future work to quickly formulate and improve relevant standards, advocate scientific and environmentally friendly industry development concepts, promote advanced washing equipment and technology, strengthen industry self-discipline, enhance system construction, improve standards, strengthen scientific research, and improve innovation capabilities. Our mission is to help the laundry and dyeing industry develop better and provide higher quality services to society.
2012-2-29
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