Local Case: Perchloroethylene in Dry Cleaning. 2006.
Perc was introduced as a drycleaning solvent in the late 1930s. It first replaced other synthetic solvents, and then gradually replaced petroleum derived solvents until it became the dominant solvent in the early 1960s. Perc was effective, reusable, noncorrosive, inexpensive, nonflammable and less toxic than existing alternatives. After regulation in 1993, a number of alternatives began to be developed (petroleum or hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide, silicone based, and "wet" cleaning). However, adoption of these alternatives is slow. Perc is still used by over 70 % of drycleaners nationally. With better practices and equipment, the amount of Perc the industry consumes has declined dramatically.
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