Adverse Effects Of Laundering At Dry Cleaners

By Ann Hill


Household activities did not really change even after more than a millennia. It still includes laundry in its chores. Before, water was their only outlet to use. Now, there are detergents from many brands in the market to remove dirt and stains on clothes. Another method of laundry is the one applied by dry cleaners Apopka.

Dry cleaning do not really mean dry. It means it does not use water. This is the difference they have against regular laundry. The dry cleaning machine is a combination of the washing machine and the dryer. Instead of water, it uses liquid solvents. As the clothes get placed on the machine, it gets soaked in the solvents. It gradually drains the solvent as the clothes tumble to dry.

These shops however have some drawbacks. This is both non economical and non environmental. Their liquid solvents have some compounds in it that are bad to health and to Mother Nature.

One angle we can obviously see is money. In comparison to regular washing machines, this method is costlier to customers. This is due to the fact they are paying for the liquid solvent. Even though it is known that it will be filtered and reused, this does not change the fact that these are expensive chemical solvents.

Perchloroethylene, known as PERC is one of the well known chemical solvent. It is developed in 1930s as a solvent that is both nonflammable and synthetic . It was, however, later on known as highly toxic which affects people and environment.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration have made a statement that contact with the chemical gives people exposed to it a high health risk. It is highly carcinogenic even when people have made little contact, especially if it is not properly dried. There is a temporary symptoms trigger of ailments if mildly exposed.

Scientific studies have shown several adverse effects it brings to health. Employees are the most common victims of these effects for they work closely with the process. Some effects may be mild such as visual impairments, skin blisters, headaches, and muscle incoordination. On the severe side of the spectrum, there are damages to the nervous system and development of cancer cells.

When not properly disposed, these chemicals create risks in the environment. Its effects may spread via water, air, and land. Let us take an example. Say that there is a drop of PERC spillage on the ground. Sooner or later, it will get seeped in the soil until it reaches the underground water reserves. That single drop may be carried into the atmosphere. It may even be swept by the wind while an unsuspecting person inhales it as he passes by.

Some shops have gone and applied a green movement. They use liquid carbon dioxide as a liquid solvent to clean clothes safely. Still, carbon dioxide is harmful to the health. If not duly regulated, then it makes the liquid unsafe for use. High concentrations creates acidic odor when inhaled can cause dizziness, headaches, rapid breathing, and stinging on the nose. Frostbites may also occur when contact with the skin due to its cryogenic property.




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