{"id":9859,"date":"2025-03-01T14:01:18","date_gmt":"2025-03-01T19:01:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/hweedrycleaning\/"},"modified":"2025-03-06T13:33:40","modified_gmt":"2025-03-06T18:33:40","slug":"hweedrycleaning","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/hsp\/hweedrycleaning\/","title":{"rendered":"hsp\/hweedrycleaning ~  Healthy Workplaces &#8211; Employees &#8211; Dry Cleaning  &#8211; Delaware Health and Social Services &#8211; State of Delaware"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-swiftype-index=\"true\">\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  <br>\r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n  <div class=\"container\" id=\"main_header\">\r\n\r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <!-- BEGIN readspeaker div -->\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"rs_skip rsbtn rs_preserve\" id=\"readspeaker_button1\">\r\n\r\n      <a accesskey=\"L\" class=\"rsbtn_play\" href=\"https:\/\/app-na.readspeaker.com\/cgi-bin\/rsent?customerid=7262&#038;lang=en_us&#038;readid=main_content&#038;url=https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/hsp\/hweedrycleaning.html\" title=\"Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker\">\r\n\r\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_left rsimg rspart\"><span class=\"rsbtn_text\"><span>Listen<\/span><\/span><\/span>\r\n\r\n        <span class=\"rsbtn_right rsimg rsplay rspart\"><\/span>\r\n\r\n      <\/a>\r\n\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <!-- END readspeaker div -->\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n\r\n    <header class=\"pull-left\">\r\n\r\n      <h1><!--[type=EDIT name=\"Page Title\"]-->Delaware Healthy Workplaces<!--[END]--><\/h1>\r\n\r\n    <\/header>\r\n\r\n    \r\n\r\n  <\/div><br>\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n  <div class=\"container\">\r\n\r\n    <div class=\"row\">\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"col-md-3\" id=\"leftCol\">\r\n\r\n        <div class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\">\r\n\r\n          <div class=\"panel sectionmenu_panel\">\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"panel-heading\">\r\n\r\n              <p class=\"panel-title\"><a class=\"agency_nav\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapseOne\"><strong><i class=\"fa fa-align-justify fa-fw\"><\/i> Public Health Menu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\" id=\"collapseOne\">\r\n\r\n              <div class=\"panel-body\" id=\"clf_nav\">\r\n\r\n                  <ul class=\"nav nav-stacked nav-pills-clf\" id=\"agency_sidebar\">\r\n    <li><a href=\"\/dph\/\"><h2>Home <i class=\"fa fa-home fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a><\/li>\r\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#agency_sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#HomeMenu\"><h2>About <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n      <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"HomeMenu\">\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/about.html\">About DPH<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/sections.html\">Sections &#038; Programs<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/ofclocations.html\">Office Locations<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/contact.html\">Contact Info<\/a><\/li>\r\n      \r\n        <li><a href=\"\/calendars.html\" target=\"_blank\">Calendar<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#ServicesMenu\"><h2>Services <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n      <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"ServicesMenu\">\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/servicesaz.html\">A-Z Services<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/environmental.html\">Air &#038; Water Quality<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/ss\/vitalstats.html\">Birth, Death, &#038; Marriage Records<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/clinics.html\">Clinics<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthdatastats.html\">Health Data &#038; Statistics<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/php\/emsps.html\">Emergency Preparedness<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthandwellness.html\">Health &#038; Wellness<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/healthyhomes.html\">Healthy Homes<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/healthywp.html\">Healthy Workplaces<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/lab\/labs.html\">Laboratory<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/feir.html\">Restaurant Inspections<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/screen.html\">Screening and Testing<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/chca\/dphwichominf01.html\">WIC<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/servicesadd.html\">Additional Services<\/a><\/li><li>\r\n      <\/li><\/ul>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li class=\"toplevel\"><a data-parent=\"#sidebar\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#InformationMenu\"><h2>Information <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n        <ul class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"InformationMenu\">\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/factsheetsaz.html\">A-Z Fact Sheets<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/pubreportsaz.html\">A-Z Publications &#038; Reports<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/diseasesandconditions.html\">Diseases &#038; Conditions<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/faq.html\">FAQ&#8217;s<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/php\/alerts.html\">Health Alerts<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthylifestyles.html\">Healthy Lifestyles<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/hipaa.html\">HIPAA<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/regs.html\">Regulations<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/forms.html\">Request Forms<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"\/dph\/links.html\">Links &#038; Resources<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li><a href=\"http:\/\/delaware.gov\/help\/foia_request.shtml\">FOIA Request Form<\/a><\/li>\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n    <li><a id=\"SocialMenuHeader\"><h2>Connect <i class=\"fa fa-thumbs-o-up fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a>\r\n      <ul id=\"SocialMenu\">\r\n        <li class=\"facebook\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DEPublicHealth\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Division of Public Health Facebook Page\"><i class=\"fa fa-facebook-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Facebook<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"twitter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Delaware_DHSS\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Delaware Health and Social Services Twitter Account\"><i class=\"fa fa-twitter-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Twitter<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <!-- <li class=\"googleplus\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-google-plus-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Google +<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"flickr\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-flickr fa-lg\"><\/i> Flickr<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"youtube\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-youtube-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Youtube<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"instagram\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-instagram fa-lg\"><\/i> Instagram<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"linkedin\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-linkedin-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Linkedin<\/a><\/li>\r\n        <li class=\"pinterest\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-pinterest-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Pinterest<\/a><\/li> -->\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n    <\/li>\r\n  <\/ul>\r\n\r\n              <\/div>\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\r\n\r\n          <\/div>\r\n\r\n        <\/div><br>\r\n\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n      <div class=\"col-md-9\" id=\"main_content\"> \r\n\r\n  <!--[type=HTMLEDIT name=\"Content\"]-->\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Healthy Workplaces - Employees - Dry Cleaning\" class=\"img-thumbnail img-responsive\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/img\/hweehdrdrycleaning.jpg\">\r\n\r\n\r\n<table class=\"table table-condensed table-border table-hover\">\r\n\r\n\r\n  <tbody><tr class=\"left\">\r\n\r\n\r\n    <td rowspan=\"3\">\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <p>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Exposure to hazardous chemicals is a daily risk for employees in the dry cleaning industry. Exposure can occur through:\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>Skin or eye contact during normal use or accidental spills or splashes.\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>Breathing vapors in buildings where the chemicals and solvents are used.\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <p>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Perchloroethylene (PERC, aka tetrachloroethene) is the most commonly used dry cleaning solvent. PERC, along with other chemicals\r\n\r\n\r\n        and solvents used in dry cleaning operations, have been associated with cancer and other health effects.\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Hazards in Dry Cleaners\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>CANCER:\r\n\r\n\r\n          <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Exposure to cleaning agents and other chemicals in dry cleaners can increase employees risk of cancer.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Perchloroethylene (PERC), a common dry cleaning solvent, is considered a probable human carcinogen.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n          <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS:\r\n\r\n\r\n          <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Exposure to vapors and chemicals used in dry cleaning can cause short and long-term breathing problems.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Exposure to high concentrations of perc can lead to respiratory failure.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n          <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>PHYSICAL INJURY:\r\n\r\n\r\n          <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Working with machines and equipment increase your risk of physical injuries on the job.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Skin contact with perc and other chemicals can results in skin irritation and dermatitis.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n          <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Preventing Exposure and Lowering Your Risk\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>EDUCATION:\r\n\r\n\r\n          <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Review the MSDS Sheets for the chemicals you work with.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Know the proper procedures for the equipment you use and <em>Follow Them!<\/em>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n          <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>AWARENESS:\r\n\r\n\r\n          <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Inspect your work area and equipment regularly\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Make sure ventilation equipment is on and working properly.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Report any problems with chemicals or equipment, such as spills or breakdowns, immediately.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n          <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <li>PROTECTION:\r\n\r\n\r\n          <ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) for each activity.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n            <li>Don&#8217;t do anything or go anywhere you feel is unsafe.\r\n\r\n\r\n            <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n          <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n        <\/li>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <p>\r\n\r\n\r\n        If you don&#8217;t see your job on these pages, or have additional questions,<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n        call the Delaware Helpline at 1-800-464-HELP or<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n        complete this <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/pdf\/hwfillableform.pdf\">online form<\/a>.\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/p><a href=\"hweeserviceind.html\"><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Hyperlink to Healthy Workplaces - Employees- Service Industries\" class=\"img-thumbnail img-responsive\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/03\/hweeiconback.gif\"><\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      &#8211;<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"hweeserviceind.html\">Back to Healthy Workplaces &#8211; Service Industries<\/a>.\r\n\r\n\r\n    <\/td>\r\n\r\n\r\n    <td class=\"text-center\">\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Healthy Workplaces - Employees - Dry Cleaning\" border=\"\" height=\"200\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/03\/hwrldrycleaners.gif\" width=\"200\"><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n    <\/td>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/tr>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <tr class=\"text-center\">\r\n\r\n\r\n    <td class=\"bgcolor5\">\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Important<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Links\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/h3><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.epa.gov\/dfe\/pubs\/garment\/ctsa\/factsheet\/ctsafaq.htm\">US EPA<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      Dry Cleaning FAQ<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      __________<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/niosh\/pdfs\/hc17.pdf\">Alternatives to<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      Perchloroethylene<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      __________<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/niosh\/ipcsneng\/neng0000.html\">Index of International<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      Chemical Safety Cards<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      __________<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/niosh\/topics\/dryclean\/\">NIOSH Dry Cleaning<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      Information Page<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n    <\/td>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/tr>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <tr class=\"text-center\">\r\n\r\n\r\n    <td class=\"bgcolor5\">\r\n\r\n\r\n      <h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Chemicals in<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n        Dry Cleaners\r\n\r\n\r\n      <\/h3><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      2-Butoxyethanol<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/pdf\/chlorobenfaq.pdf\">Chlorobenzene<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      Pentachloroethane<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      Petroleum distillates<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.osha.gov\/dts\/chemicalsampling\/data\/CH_268000.html\">Stoddard Solvent<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      __________<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/pdf\/percfaq.pdf\">Perchloroethylene (Perc, PCE)<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      __________<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/pdf\/trichloro112faq.pdf\">1,1,2-Trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      __________<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/pdf\/tce111faq.pdf\">1,1,1-Trichloroethane<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      __________<br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/dph\/pdf\/trichlethfaq.pdf\">Trichloroethene (TCE)<\/a><br>\r\n\r\n\r\n    <\/td>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/tr>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <tr>\r\n\r\n\r\n    <td colspan=\"2\">\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <br>\r\n\r\n\r\n      <p class=\"smalltext\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.adobe.com\/products\/acrobat\/readstep2.html\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Download Adobe Acrobat Reader\" height=\"21\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/dhss\/img\/getacro60.gif\" width=\"60\"><\/a> Please note: Some of the files available on this page are in Adobe PDF format which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.  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If you are using an assistive technology unable to read Adobe PDF, please either view the corresponding text only version (if available) or visit Adobe&#8217;s <a href=\"http:\/\/access.adobe.com\">Accessibility Tools page<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    <\/td>\r\n\r\n\r\n  <\/tr>\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/tbody><\/table>  <!--[END]-->\r\n\r\n  \r\n\r\n      <\/div>\r\n\r\n    <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <\/div><!-- \/container -->\r\n\r\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Listen Delaware Healthy Workplaces Public Health Menu Home About About DPH Sections &#038; Programs Office Locations Contact Info Calendar Services A-Z Services Air &#038; Water Quality Birth, Death, &#038; Marriage Records Clinics Health Data &#038; Statistics Emergency Preparedness Health &#038; Wellness Healthy Homes Healthy Workplaces Laboratory Restaurant Inspections Screening and Testing WIC Additional Services Information [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":9779,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9859","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9859","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9859"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9859\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11845,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9859\/revisions\/11845"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9859"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}