PERC may evaporate from contaminated groundwater and soil into the indoor air of buildings above the contaminated area. They also may be exposed if PERC evaporates from contaminated drinking water into indoor air during cooking and washing. People may be exposed if they drink the contaminated water. Groundwater near these areas may become contaminated if PERC is improperly dumped or leaks into the ground. People living in homes located near these operations may be exposed to higher levels of PERC than the general population not living near such operations. PERC gets into outdoor and indoor air by evaporation from industrial or dry-cleaning operations and from areas where chemical wastes are stored or disposed. For most people, almost all exposure is from PERC in air. Exposure can also occur when PERC or material containing PERC (for example, soil) gets on the skin. People may be exposed to PERC in air, water, and food.
Because most people stop noticing the odor of PERC in air after a short time, odor is not a reliable warning signal of PERC exposure. It readily evaporates into air and has an ether-like odor. PERC is a nonflammable, colorless liquid at room temperature. PERC is a commonly used name and will be used in the rest of the fact sheet. Other names for tetrachloroethene include PERC, tetrachloroethylene, perchloroethylene, and PCE. Tetrachloroethene is found in consumer products, including some paint and spot removers, water repellents, brake and wood cleaners, glues, and suede protectors. It is also used for degreasing metal parts and in manufacturing other chemicals. Tetrachloroethene is a manufactured chemical that is widely used in the dry-cleaning of fabrics, including clothes.
The fact sheet focuses on the health risks from air exposures because most of the PERC released into the environment goes into air. It also provides information about the New York State Department of Health's new guideline of 30 micrograms of PERC per cubic meter of air (30 mcg/m 3) or 0.03 milligrams of PERC per cubic meter of air (0.03 mg/m 3). It provides information on health effects seen in humans exposed to PERC in air. This fact sheet answers questions about a chemical called tetrachloroethene (PERC), which is widely used to dry-clean clothes.
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