Dry Cleaning

Dry Cleaning Menu Workers' Rights

Possible Solutions

Engineering and work practice controls are the first line of defense against dry cleaning hazards. For instances where engineering and work practice controls cannot reduce employee exposure, personal protective equipment (PPE) is used. The following references aid in the control and prevention of hazards in the dry cleaning industry.

  • Control of Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Commercial Drycleaning. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-154 (HC16), (March 2, 1998). Includes information on reducing exposure to dry cleaning solvents, suggests engineering measures, work practices, and personal protection.
  • Control of Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Commercial Drycleaning (Substitution). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-155 (HC17), (March 2, 1998). Covers the potential alternatives to dry cleaning with perchloroethylene, wet cleaning, petroleum-based dry cleaning, and liquid carbon dioxide methods.
  • Control of Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Commercial Drycleaning (Machine Design). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-156 (HC18), (March 2, 1998). Discusses how modern dry cleaning machines may dramatically reduce exposures, save money in solvent costs, and permit easier compliance with safety, health and environmental regulations.
  • Control of Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Commercial Drycleaning (Ventilation). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-157 (HC19), (December 23, 1997). Covers the different types of ventilation. Effective ventilation is one of the potentially least expensive engineering control options for reducing worker exposures to perchloroethylene (PERC).
  • Control of Spotting Chemical Hazards In Commercial Drycleaning. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-158 (HC20), (March 2, 1998). Discusses the isolation of process, ventilation, work practices, and personal protective equipment.
  • Control of Fire Hazards in Commercial Drycleaning Shops Using Petroleum-Based Solvents. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-159 (HC21), (March 2, 1998). Contains information regarding new solvents and new machines, building protective features, fire safety systems, and handling combustible liquids.
  • Control of Ergonomic Hazards in Commercial Drycleaning. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-160 (HC22), (March 2, 1998). Lists several engineering measures and work practices are recommended to control ergonomic hazards during garment transfer, pressing, and bagging activities in commercial dry cleaning.
  • Control of Health and Safety Hazards in Commercial Drycleaners: Chemical Exposures, Fire Hazards, and Ergonomic Risk Factors. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 97-150, (December 1997). Presents research findings and provides guidance to regulatory agencies and owners of dry cleaning shops regarding hazard control measures.
  • Multiprocess Wet Cleaning: Cost and Performance Comparison of Conventional Dry Cleaning and an Alternative Process. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Document No. 744S93004, (September 1993). Provides a summary comparing the economic feasibility of switching to a wet clean system and discusses topics such as price, performance, and other limitations.
  • Summary of a Report on Multiprocess Wet Cleaning. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Document No. 744S94001, (June 1994). Provides information using layperson's terms comparing a wet cleaning to a dry cleaning facility, including diagrams.
  • Earnest, G, et al. "An evaluation of retrofit engineering control interventions to reduce perchloroethylene exposures in commercial dry cleaning shops." Applied Occupational Environmental Hygiene 17.2 (February 2002): 104-111. Discusses real-time monitoring used to evaluate the ability of engineering control devices retrofitted on two existing drycleaning machines to reduce worker exposures to perchloroethylene. Abstract only.