Dry cleaning keeps clothes feeling clean and looking and pristine but you’ll be shocked that the chemicals used to clean garments may cause some serious health threats.
Invisible Danger: Dry cleaning chemicals, like perchloroethylene (PERC), increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, dizziness and nervous system damage. Most consumers also don’t realize toxic dry cleaning chemicals can linger on clothing long after the cleaning process!
While dry cleaning is super convenient, the chemicals used in the process have been linked to a range of health issues, including an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.
The Toxic Chemical Behind Convenience
One of the primary chemicals used in dry cleaning is perchloroethylene (PERC), a solvent known for removing stains and cleaning clothes. However, research shows alarming concerns about the long-term effects of exposure to PERC.
Studies show frequent exposure to PERC is associated with a staggering 500% increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and motor skills.
PERC’s toxic nature is especially concerning for those who work in dry cleaning stores, and consumers who regularly get clothes dry cleaned.
The other ingredient known in the dry cleaning industry to be toxic is trichloroethylene (TCE).
According to the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease “For the past 100 years, trichloroethylene (TCE) has been used to decaffeinate coffee, degrease metal, and dry clean clothes. It contaminates the Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune, 15 toxic Superfund sites in Silicon Valley, and up to one-third of groundwater in the U.S. TCE causes cancer, is linked to miscarriages and congenital heart disease, and is associated with a 500 percent increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.
In a hypothesis paper in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, an international team of researchers—including University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) neurologists Ray Dorsey, MD, Ruth Schneider, MD, and Karl Kieburtz, MD—postulates that TCE may be an invisible cause of Parkinson’s. In the paper they detail the widespread use of the chemical, the evidence linking the toxicant to Parkinson’s disease.”
TCE was a widely used solvent employed in a number of industrial, consumer, military, and medical applications, including to remove paint, correct typewriting mistakes, clean engines, and anesthetize patients.
Hidden Health Risks of PERC
PERC exposure doesn’t only pose risks for Parkinson’s disease, it has a range of other serious health issues. Short-term exposure to PERC may cause dizziness, headaches, and respiratory problems. Long-term exposure is linked to more severe conditions such as liver and kidney damage, as well as an increased risk of various cancers.
According to the CDC “Perchloroethylene (PERC) is the most commonly used drycleaning solvent. PERC can enter the body through respiratory and dermal exposure. Symptoms associated with exposure include: depression of the central nervous system; damage to the liver and kidneys; impaired memory; confusion; dizziness; headache; drowsiness; and eye, nose, and throat irritation. Repeated dermal exposure may result in dermatitis. NIOSH considers PERC a potential human carcinogen.”
For those who are sensitive to chemicals, even minimal contact with dry-cleaned garments can exacerbate respiratory conditions, skin irritation, and other health issues.
The risk is not limited to direct exposure; residues from dry cleaning can infiltrate homes, affecting family members who may not have had direct contact with the chemical.
PERC can also contaminate soil and groundwater, contributing to broader ecological damage.
Safer Alternatives and Prevention
Given the serious health risks and invisible dangers associated with traditional dry cleaning chemicals, people are looking for a safer alternatives.
Some dry cleaners offer environmentally friendly options which uses less harmful solvents, like liquid carbon dioxide or silicone-based solutions. Others hand wash or use home laundry systems designed for delicate fabrics.
Clothing can also be aired out (outside) before wearing them so the dry cleaned clothing isn’t leaching out inside the home or in your closet.
Additional References:
Dry Cleaning Chemical Could Be Major Cause of Parkinson’s, Scientists Warn
500% Rise in Parkinson’s Linked to a Common Dry Cleaning Chemical
Valerie Steele