Personal Injury Law

Iowa Workers' Compensation - PERC - Controlling Exposure - Part VII

By Steve Lombardi

Control of Exposure to Perchloroethylene in Commercial Drycleaning - Perchloroethylene (PERC) is the most commonly used drycleaning solvent so unless you know otherwise assume that is the chemical being used. We know from the previous posts that PERC can enter the body through breathing and contact with your skin. The most common signs and symptoms 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.

To reduce exposure to drycleaning solvents requires different worker practices, using the right protective equipment, along with changing the engineering of the machines and air handling equipment. Engineering measures are the preferred and most effective means of control and should generally be considered first. What that tells us is that workers have little control over the most effective means to control exposures. That said you as a worker still need to be aware of how exposures occur and pressure the owners and landlords to make the appropriate changes to the equipment and building ventilation systems.

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on February 08, 2008 (boomark / email).