The 'Percs' In This Business May Be Deadly

Is dry cleaning a silent killer in our community?

Clinical studies reveal that perchloroethylene (‘perc’), the most commonly used chemical in the dry cleaning process, is believed to cause cancer, kidney disease, induce asthmatic attacks and allergic reactions.

The Asthma Foundation of Victoria is sufficiently concerned to throw its sizeable weight behind a new dry cleaning company that utilises the latest non-toxic, chemical free Wet Cleaning technology.

More than 90% of dry cleaners in Australia regularly use ‘perc’ as their principal cleaning agent.

Millions of Australians are potentially at risk every time their clothing or bed linen is dry cleaned. In Victoria alone, more than 650,000 asthmatics face an uncertain prognosis when they come into contact with items that have been cleaned with ‘perc’ or other approved toxic chemicals.

Young children, the elderly and others in at-risk categories are considered to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of these chemicals.

Robin Ould, the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, said his organisation had taken the unusual step of publicly endorsing Melbourne-based dry cleaner, Daisy H2O Dry Cleaning.

The Foundation’s decision was made after an exhaustive investigation into the techniques pioneered by the company and its managing director, Paul Littmann.

Mr Ould is also calling for both State and Federal Governments to introduce legislation to restrict or eliminate the use of perchlorethylene and other toxic fluids in the dry cleaning industry. He says Australia is one of only a handful of countries without this type of legislation.

"Many people with asthma have difficulty with traditional dry cleaning which can trigger asthma symptoms," Mr Ould said.

"We want governments to be proactive, and to recognise the hazards that Australians face. The irony of people getting sick because of their desire to be hygienic should not be lost on our politicians or community educators."

Mr Littmann said Daisy HO Dry Cleaning developed the non-toxic, chemical free Wet Cleaning technology in conjunction with an Adelaide based equipment importer. The technology was based on similar technology employed in the United States and Europe.

He says his company is the only “stand alone” garment cleaning plant in Australia that exclusively utilises a total environmentally friendly process. Currently there are two stores in Melbourne (Brighton and Port Melbourne) and an agency in Prahran.

"The largest user of ‘perc’ in Australia is the dry cleaning industry," Mr Littmann said. "It is a silent killer because people clean their clothes in the belief that the process is hygienic and family-friendly."

"The challenge is not only for governments to legislate but for our industry’s peak body to call for change and actively work to implement it."

Mr Littmann says his 20 year involvement in the advertising industry taught him that truth in advertising is the highest ideal.

"There is a price to pay when advertisers exploit the public interest, and the standard of care should be equally demanding for dry cleaners. Some could argue that the standards should be higher because of the intimate nature of the dry cleaned product. "

Mr Littmann believes that most Australians are ignorant of the medical consequences of exposure to ‘perc’ and other toxic chemicals. According to the World Health Organisation and the US-based National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, short-term exposure can cause depression of the central nervous system, impaired memory, headaches and dizziness, noise and throat irritation, and dermatitis. Long-term exposure can cause damage to the liver and kidneys and leukaemia.

In 2004 Daisy H2O Dry Cleaning received a special commendation from WorkSafe Victoria in the Best Risk Solution category.

The Asthma Foundation of Victoria receives a financial benefit from Daisy HO Dry Cleaning which is used to assist with its education and training programs.

Further information available from:

Paul Littmann, MD, Daisy H2O Dry Cleaning www.daisy.net.au