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Perchloroethylene and coin operated dry cleaning machines (1997)A report from France described circumstances in which a baby died following over-exposure from perchloroethylene vapour during its use in an unsupervised, self-service "coin-operated" dry cleaning machine (Clinical Toxicology, 1996, 34(2), p191).The European Chlorinated Solvent Association does not support the use of perchloroethylene in this manner nor does it advocate the sales of perchloroethylene to establishments that use such machines where there is no proper supervision or maintenance. An EU Risk Assessment on perchloroethylene takes note of the case described above and concludes that there is a need to limit the risk of consumer exposure to perchloroethylene in unsupervised dry cleaning (Draft UK Risk Assessment 1997). Perchloroethylene has been used as the main solvent in the dry cleaning process for over 50 years. The manufacturers of perchloroethylene demonstrate active product stewardship and are involved in on-going research into the properties of perchloroethylene. Many industrial and retail dry cleaners use machines which have recovery systems to significantly reduce solvent consumption and emissions. This includes solvent management, operator training and regular monitoring of workplace exposure levels. Chemical manufacturers issue Chemical Safety Data Sheets for each product they sell and these detail the actions to be taken to ensure safe use and disposal of the product. An occupational exposure limit is set by each European country limiting the average daily exposure to perchloroethylene. In practice,dry-cleaners operate well below this limit. ECSA and CINET (International Committee of Textile Care) actively discourage the sale of perchloroethylene to establishments that use self-service"coin-operated" machines.
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