Abstract
Many do not realize the hazardous conditions that dry cleaners face everyday in the workplace. Of the many chemicals they work with, perchloroethylene (PCE) has been the dominant one used for decades; identified as a hazardous pollutant and subject to regulation by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as well as other agencies such as the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD). In cooperation with the University of California at Los Angeles and the Korean Youth and Community Center, this project sought to bring understanding to many dry cleaners about the ill-effects of PCE and its environmentally safer/healthier alternative, wet cleaning. Because of the large majority of Korean-American cleaners in the Los Angeles County, this project required close contact in their native language. Projects include: PCE mileage estimation - PCE estimate per machine in order to assess the number of garments cleaned per gallon and comparing that to the allotted amount under regulation; SCAQMD permits - examining permits with respect to the amount of PCE allowed per cleaner and if profits are feasible under regulated conditions; Powerpoint presentations - presentations on wet cleaning to portray differences between dry and wet cleaning; CAL-OSHA research - a study on the methods and procedures of CAL-OSHA and what types of criteria are used for inspections; and Wet Clean survey's - an ongoing survey of dry cleaners as well as its analysis in order to understand the average dry cleaner and their issues with wet cleaning. Funding provided by: IPAC/PPERC
