The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics estimates that more than 185,000 people work in the laundry services sector. In the coming years, employers are poised to onboard a significant number of employees. Market revenue is expected to exceed a record $15.8 million and grow at a 3.14 percent compound annual growth rate through 2029.

While business and employment expansion appear to benefit all involved, recent data demonstrates that indoor solvent exposure continues to prove problematic. Commonly known carcinogens remain in play, and the permissible exposure limit (PEL) appears inadequate. Oversight organizations need to re-imagine solvent safety for laundry service workers.

Commonly Used Solvents in Laundry Service Industry

The two most prevalent solvents used in the laundry service sector are perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE). Despite overwhelming evidence indicating these chemicals pose a clear and present risk to human health and well-being, not enough companies have pivoted to safer alternatives.

Perchloroethylene remains an industry preference because it is an effective option for dissolving grease strains in clothing. Commonly referred to by industry insiders as PCE, the chemical has also been adopted by manufacturers that produce water repellents, paint removers, printing inks, glues, sealants, polishes and lubricants. That’s largely because it possesses an innate ability to bond with plastics, rubber, metals, and leather.

Although low levels of exposure have not necessarily been linked to cancer, reports indicate that even wearing PCE-laced leather increases that risk. Needless to say, workers experience excessive and prolonged indoor solvent exposure.

Widely employed as a general solvent, trichloroethylene can be found in products used to clean furniture, automotive parts, paints, varnishes, pesticides and cold metal cleaners. There are four grades of PCE, with U.S. manufacturers producing the majority of products used in dry cleaning. Although hazardous, it remains a high-value solvent in the commercial laundry sector as a spot remover.

Exposed Workers Show Signs of DNA Damage

A study published in BMC Public Health revealed that workers exposed to PCE and TCE demonstrated significant DNA damage frequency. The peer-reviewed journal article also noted that worker exposure trended well within the acceptable PEL limits established by worker health and safety agencies. Researchers concluded that improved solvent safety for laundry service workers and alternative products are needed.

What are the Health Effects of DNA Damage?

As one might imagine, the health effects associated with DNA damage can be devastating. Genetically altered cells may be prone to spurring cancer growth. It’s not uncommon for cell death to occur, as well as premature aging. Symptoms associated with cell damage and early aging include memory loss and dementia.

Damaged DNA has also been linked to neurodegenerative disorders, most notably Alzheimer's disease, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly called COPD. Studies have also commented that painters, coating strippers, and others who come in regular contact with PCE and TCE may be at increased risk of cancer and other health conditions.

Ways Workers Are Exposed to Dry Cleaning Solvents

Although health and safety organizations have established dry cleaning solvent guidelines, workers continue to come into contact with PCE, TCE, and other hazardous agents. The primary problem stems from the fact these chemicals evaporate easily, transitioning into airborne fumes. These rank among the most prevalent ways commercial laundry workers are exposed to solvents.

  • Inhaling Solvents Fumes
  • Splattering the Colorless Chemicals on Street Clothes
  • Solvents Splashing into Workers' Eyes
  • Cleaning Machinery Used to Disperse Laundry Solvents
  • Handling Clothing Treated with PCE & TCE
  • Removing Lint from Treated Clothing
  • Changing Solvent Filters

 

Hard-working people who are exposed to laundry solvents typically exhibit signs that include headaches, sleepiness, loss of coordination, mood changes, slight ataxia (impaired coordination), faintness, dizziness, burning sensations, and skin irritation according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Although most people recognize the odor of these solvents, the subtly sweet scent may not trigger a defensive response, such as wearing breathable masks, exiting the space, or using appropriate ventilation.

What is a PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit)?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a ban on PCE under the Toxic Substances Control Act in 2023, stating that its presence in the workplace constituted an “unreasonable risk of injury.”

Given the recent DNA damage research and other factors, the time has certainly arrived to reconsider the current PEL rates adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The OSHA standard is 100 parts per million (ppm) over an 8-hour shift, with an acceptable peak rate of 300 ppm. Those PEL restrictions seem insufficient considering scientific reviews and the EPA pushing for a complete ban.

  • Safer Laundry Service Alternatives

The Toxic Use Reduction Institute, among others, advocates for the commercial laundry sector to eliminate these hazardous chemicals in favor of safer alternatives. A report, called Assessment of Alternatives to Perchloroethylene for the Dry Cleaning Industry, reviewed the following options.

  • Professional Wet Cleaning

This process involves using water-based cleansing methods. It employs eco-friendly detergents and techniques, avoiding the need for risky solvents. Health and safety advocates, as well as those in the commercial laundry sector, consider it a non-toxic alternative.

  • Liquid Carbon Dioxide

When pressurized, carbon dioxide serves as an effective natural solvent. It has proven exceptionally efficient at removing stains, including grease and oil. It has been touted as a reliable alternative for cleaning delicate clothing.

  • High Flash Hydrocarbons

These petroleum-based solvents use a flash point of 140 degrees to dry clean clothing effectively. They work well on gentle fabrics, reduce potential color fading, and do not leave a residual smell. They are considered safer for workers and environmentally sustainable.

The dry-cleaning alternatives assessment also reviewed Acetal, n-Propyl Bromide, and Propylene Glycol Ethers, among others. While each had varying human health, environmental, and financial benefits, the study asserted that today’s popular solvents are dangerous to human health and bad for the environment.

Unfortunately, banning these widely used products is unlikely to occur in the immediate future. That’s why employers and staff members must practice workplace safety.

  • PPE & Safety Clothing for Dry Cleaning Workers

The importance of safety clothing for dry cleaning workers cannot be understated. The industry places staff members in direct contact with liquid chemicals and fumes that represent a clear and present danger.

Given that recent research remarks that people exposed to PEL rates previously thought to be reasonably safe miss the mark, effective practices, equipment, and disposable personal protective clothing are critical. These are items commercial laundry operations need to stockpile to keep valued employees out of harm’s way.

  • Breathable Masks to Minimize Inhaling Fumes
  • Coveralls Suitable to Protect Against Chemical Splashes
  • Face Shields, Goggles, and Other Eye Protections
  • Protective Gloves that Resist Chemical Seepage
  • Foot Coverings to Prevent Soaking and Skin Contact
  • Hoods or Head Gear to Insulate People from PCE and TCE Contact

 

Employers would be well-served to designate a space for staff members to change out of street clothes, adorn disposable protective clothing, and discard tainted items at the end of the shift. Laundry service operations also require robust ventilation that filters out contaminated air and replenishes fresh, breathable oxygen.