Safer Alternatives to Perc

Transcription

1 Safer Alternatives to Perc Massachusetts Assessment of Alternatives for the Professional Garment Care Industry Pam Eliason Industry Research Program Manager Toxics Use Reduction Institute UMass Lowell

2 Massachusetts AA Work Since 1991, TUR planning, which includes Options Evaluation 2005 MA legislature requested study of 5 chemicals Hosted interstate meeting on AA in 2008 Developed and maintained IC2 Safer Alternatives wiki: On-going AA updates associated with HHS Engagement in national and international work and trainings

3

4 Our Approach Balance deep dive with pragmatism Focus on key criteria to assist in decisions Technical feasibility Economic feasibility EH&S impacts Conduct site visits with users of alternatives Review scientific and manufacturer data Promote adoption of safer alternatives

5 Perchloroethylene is widely used Perc is a versatile cleaning agent it is volatile, stable and non-flammable Perc is used in: metal parts cleaning paint strippers spot removers garment dry cleaning

6 Perchloroethylene: Health, Safety and Environment Perc is a central nervous system depressant and can enter the body through respiratory or dermal exposure. Chronic exposure can lead to dizziness, damage to the liver or kidney and respiratory disease The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified Perc as a Group 2A Carcinogen: a probable carcinogen to humans.

7 Our Audience Practitioners Planners Shop Owners Shops face increasing pressures to switch Perc designated as a higher hazard substance in 2008 must report/plan if >1000 lb/yr used

8 Alternatives Studied Wet cleaning CO 2 High flash point hydrocarbons Acetals Propylene-glycol ethers Volatile methyl siloxanes n-propyl bromide

9 Key Criteria Technical/Performance Cycle time and load capacity Difficult materials Pretreatment and finishing requirements Economic Equipment costs Chemical costs Energy costs

10

11 Are Alternatives Effective and Affordable? All options are technically feasible Some may have impact on throughput Some have limitations on the fabrics they can handle Most options are affordable CO 2 -based options not economically feasible (for majority of smaller MA shops)

12 Key EH&S Criteria Persistence, Bioaccumulation potential, aquatic Toxicity Recommended Exposure Limits Central Nervous System Effects Carcinogenic, Reproductive or Developmental Toxicant Flashpoint

13

14 Applicable Regulations Hazardous Air Pollutants Designated VOCs Massachusetts regulations Listed toxics under TURA Environmental Results Program Hazardous waste disposal issues Wastewater discharge restrictions

15 Are the Alternatives Safer than Perc? All are less persistent; HC and Siloxanes are more bioaccumulative and toxic in aquatic environment Most are safer to humans EXCEPT npb is carcinogenic, reproductive toxic and neurotoxic NOT a safer alternative Data gaps present concern for alternatives that are new to the market (e.g., Solvon K4 acetals) Most options are combustible or flammable, requiring additional control for safety Several options are VOCs, or result in hazardous waste or wastewater disposal restrictions

16 Bottom Line TURI promotes the use of dedicated Wet Cleaning as safest alternative to perc dry cleaning Conducts trainings and demonstrations Provides matching grant to promote switch

17 Resources

18 TURI s Pollution Prevention Options Assessment System (P2OASys) Examines the potential environmental and worker impacts of options Compares options based on quantitative and qualitative factors throughout production phase of product Relies on expert judgment for level of certainty in data used ment/chemical_hazard_comparison_tools/p2oasys_tool_ to_compare_materials

19 CleanerSolutions Jason Marshall, Lab Director:

20 Thank You For more on TURI s AA work: Pam Eliason, , pam@turi.org For more on TURI s work with dry cleaners and other small businesses: Joy Onasch, , joy@turi.org For more on TURI s Lab and their work on performance testing of safer alternatives: Jason Marshall, , Jason_Marshall@uml.edu