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Hydrocarbon "Organic"The favored substitute for perc is isoparaffin hydrocarbon. This is what the cleaner is probably using if he claims to be "Organic." It too, like perc, is a synthetic petroleum distillate. It has a weaker cleaning ability but is just as toxic, as carcinogenic and as hazardous. These improved synthetic hydrocarbons such as ExxonMobil Chemical DF-2000 and Chevron Phillips Chemical EcoSolv are being positioned as a “green” alternative to PERC because they biodegrade within days when exposed to air, water and earth. About 15% of the estimated 25,000 dry cleaners in the U.S. have already switched from PERC to synthetic hydrocarbons. Today’s hydrocarbon cleaning agents are actually synthetic descendents of the early cleaning solvents which were made from petroleum distillates before PERC was manufactured. The new alternative hydrocarbons have a higher flash point of 142 degrees F so they are not as explosive as the earlier pre-PERC cleaners and they are odorless rather than smelling like gasoline. But, hydrocarbon solvents are still a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) that will combine with other air pollutants (specifically oxides of nitrogen) to create ozone smog when it escapes into the air. The EPA and the Coalition for Clean Air have requested additional testing to determine the safety of hydrocarbon solvents to the environment and the toxicity to people. If you choose your dry cleaner because they claim to be "Organic" you need to remember that the term 'organic' has an entirely different meaning than it does at the supermarket. At the supermarket 'organic' means wholesome and pure, while at the dry cleaner the term organic means of carbon based molecular structure. And while you're at it, you can stop and fill your car up with some "organic" gasoline.
> Consumer Alert "Organic Dry Cleaning"(888) 221-3422 |
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