Why is EPA interested in drycleaning?
Since 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Design for the Environment Garment and Textile Care Partnership has been working in partnership with the drycleaning industry to reduce exposures to perchloroethylene, or “perc,” the chemical solvent used by most drycleaners to clean garments and textile products. Approximately 85% of cleaners use perc as their primary solvent. The primary focus of these questions and answers are the potential health and environmental concerns associated with perc. This document is one of a number of EPA publications about professional garment care. It is hoped that the information presented here will answer questions you may have about drycleaning and related issues.
