{"hq_id":"hq-p-spe-000078","name":"Dry Cleaning Solvents (Perchloroethylene PERC)","category":{"primary":"specialty","secondary":"service","tags":["dry cleaning","PERC","perchloroethylene","tetrachloroethylene","IARC 2A","take-home"]},"product_tier":"SPE","overall_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","description":"Perchloroethylene (PERC, tetrachloroethylene) — the primary dry cleaning solvent used by 70% of US dry cleaners. IARC Group 2A probable carcinogen (bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma). Dry-cleaned clothes off-gas PERC for 1-7 days after pickup. Workers in dry cleaning shops have 40% elevated liver cancer risk. 'Take-home' contamination: PERC transfers from cleaned garments to home air, furniture, and other clothing. Wet cleaning (water-based) and liquid CO2 are PERC-free alternatives.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"severe","synthesis_confidence":0.757,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_adult","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.1,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"dry cleaning workers, residents near dry cleaners","overall_risk":"moderate_to_high","primary_concerns":["IARC Group 2A probable carcinogen — bladder cancer, NHL","Take-home contamination: PERC off-gassing from garments into home for 1-7 days","40% elevated liver cancer in dry cleaning workers","California phased out PERC in dry cleaning by 2023"],"exposure_routes":"Inhalation of PERC vapor (occupational and consumer from garments)"},"exposure":{"routes":["inhalation","dermal"],"contact_types":["inhalation","skin_brief"],"users":["occupational","adult"],"duration":"hours","frequency":"weekly","scenarios":["Dry cleaning workers: daily PERC vapor exposure (loading/unloading machines)","Consumers: PERC off-gassing from recently cleaned garments at home","'Take-home' contamination: PERC from garments to car, closet, bedroom air","Residents above/adjacent to dry cleaners: environmental PERC exposure"],"notes":"California AB 998 (2007): phased out PERC in dry cleaning by 2023. EPA TSCA: proposed PERC restrictions for dry cleaning (2023). Professional wet cleaning achieves equivalent results for most garments without solvents. Liquid CO2 cleaning (Solvair, Tersus) is another PERC-free alternative. Air out dry-cleaned garments outdoors for 24+ hours before bringing inside or placing in closet."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Air out dry-cleaned garments outdoors for 24+ hours before wearing or placing in closet. Ask dry cleaner if they use PERC — choose wet cleaning or CO2 alternatives. If PERC smell is strong on pickup, request re-airing at facility. Choose 'green' dry cleaners using wet cleaning or CO2.","safer_alternatives":["Professional wet cleaning (water-based — equivalent results for most fabrics)","Liquid CO2 dry cleaning (Solvair, Tersus)","GreenEarth (D5 siloxane) — debated environmental profile but non-carcinogenic","Home laundering on gentle cycle (for many 'dry clean only' garments)"],"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Exposure without required PPE or engineering controls","meaning":"Risk of acute injury or chronic disease.","action":"Follow OSHA requirements and manufacturer PPE recommendations."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"OSHA-compliant engineering controls and PPE in use","meaning":"Exposure controlled to below permissible limits.","verification":"Check for OSHA compliance documentation and exposure monitoring records."}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"What are the OSHA-required exposure controls for this product/process?","why_it_matters":"OSHA PELs and engineering controls are legally mandated.","good_answer":"Specific PEL, engineering controls, and PPE identified and implemented.","bad_answer":"No awareness of OSHA requirements."}],"alternatives":[{"name":"Professional wet cleaning","notes":"water-based — equivalent results for most fabrics"},{"name":"Liquid CO2 dry cleaning","notes":"Solvair, Tersus"},{"name":"GreenEarth","notes":"D5 siloxane) — debated environmental profile but non-carcinogenic"}]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA -- California","regulation":"California AB 998 (PERC Phase-Out)","citation":"AB 998 (2007)","requirements":"Complete phase-out of PERC in dry cleaning by January 2023. Existing machines: end-of-useful-life replacement required.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":"2023-01-01","enforcing_agency":"SCAQMD / CARB","penalties":null,"source_ref":null},{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"EPA TSCA Proposed PERC Rule (2023)","citation":"88 FR 74712","requirements":"Proposed workplace exposure limit and restrictions on PERC use in dry cleaning nationally.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":"EPA","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"PERC waste: hazardous waste per RCRA. Closed-loop recovery required at dry cleaning facilities.","hazardous_waste":true,"expected_lifespan":"varies"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000037","name":"Tetrachloroethylene (PERC)","role":"solvent","concentration_pct":"99"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000037","compound_name":null,"role":"solvent","typical_concentration":"99%"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["dry cleaning solvents (perchloroethylene perc)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"3M","manufacturer":"3M","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Safety and specialty product conglomerate"},{"brand":"Honeywell","manufacturer":"Honeywell","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Safety equipment and technology"},{"brand":"DuPont","manufacturer":"DuPont","market_position":"professional","notable":"Chemical and safety products"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"California AB 998 (PERC Phase-Out) (AB 998 (2007))","jurisdiction":"USA -- California","year":2023,"citation":"AB 998 (2007)","id":"src_a606eeb9"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EPA TSCA Proposed PERC Rule (2023) (88 FR 74712)","jurisdiction":"USA","citation":"88 FR 74712","id":"src_5a747a6e"},{"id":"iarc_106_perc","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 106: Trichloroethylene, Tetrachloroethylene, and Some Other Chlorinated Agents","year":2014,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000037"},{"id":"epa_perc_iris","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA IRIS: Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene) — Toxicological Review (Final)","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000037"},{"type":"monograph","title":"International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)","jurisdiction":"International","id":"src_d9ebbaf2","extraction":"description_reference"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:24:28.384Z"}}