Elimination of perchlorethylene used for dry cleaning in a laundry establishment

Type of measure: Substitution

A hospital laundry establishment located in Madrid dry-cleaned sheets, towels, working clothes, etc. for several healthcare facilities. Perchlorethylene (aka Tetrachlooretheen) was used only to remove persistent stains.

A Union intervention managed to eliminate the harmful product perchlorethylene, and clothes with persistent stains are now discarded.

More information

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Published July 26, 2023

Please note that this substance or some of it's compounds are listed in Annex XIV (REACH regulation). This substance some of it's compounds are only allowed to be used, imported, or brought into the market, if authorisation requirements of REACH are fulfilled.

Please be aware that for this carcinogen you need to be more cautious when determining potential skin contact and how to regard dermal exposure in your risk reduction strategy.

Relevance

Carcinogens involved:
Trichloroethylene

Sector(s) involved:
Human health and social work activities

About this case

Company:

Lavandería hospitalaria central

Country:
Spain

For more information please contact:

[email protected]

General facts

Facts about cancer-causing agents:

The direct costs of carcinogen exposure at work across Europe are estimated at 2.4 billion Euros per year.
Every year, about 120.000 persons get cancer from exposure to carcinogens at work
Annually more than 100.000 people die because of work-related cancer.

Elimination of perchlorethylene used for dry cleaning in a laundry establishment

Elimination of perchlorethylene used for dry cleaning in a laundry establishment

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