General interests: Beware - Dry cleaning...

[Cecil Lee]

That killer outfit you just brought home from the dry cleaners really can kill you, experts warn. That's because perchloroethylene (perc), the chemical used by most dry cleaners, has been linked to a
multitude of health woes - including cancer. "Perc is an effective cleaner; but it's also extremely toxic. It enters the body through the skin and respiratory system, is stored in the fatty tissues and stays with you for a long time". Perc has been classified as a dangerous chemical for years and studies have shown exposure to it increases the risk of bladder and esophageal cancer; asthma and reproductive problems. People who work in or live near dry cleaners are most at risk, but simple contact with freshly dry-cleaned clothes can expose
you to unhealthy levels of perc.
People who wear freshly dry-cleaned clothes just once a week inhale enough perc to increase their risks of cancer! But there are some simple measures you can take to protect yourself.
First, reduce the use of dry cleaning as much as possible. Many clothes labeled 'dry clean only' don't need it. Careful washing-
either by hand or in the washing machine can, in most cases, help you avoid both the expense and the danger of dry cleaning. For clothing that must go to the dry cleaners, offered these tips:
1) Look for a cleaner who does "wet cleaning" - a new method that uses water and non-toxic soap instead of perc
2) Tell your cleaner about specific stains. If they know what caused a stain, they can treat it with fewer chemicals.
3) When you bring a dry-cleaned item home, remove the plastic wrap and let the garment air out in a well-ventilated area for a few days to safely remove most of the perc.