[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 140 (Friday, July 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17911]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 22, 1994]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[OPPTS-00155; FRL-4868-3]

 

Dry Cleaning Industry; Notice of Availability of Comparison Study 
of Conventional Dry Cleaning and an Alternative Process

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: EPA is announcing the availability of a study entitled 
``Multiprocess Wet Cleaning: A Cost and Performance Comparison of 
Conventional Dry Cleaning and an Alternative Process.'' The study is 
the result of a joint EPA/industry effort that demonstrated the 
viability of an alternative non-solvent ``wet'' cleaning process which 
relies on soaps, heat, steam and pressing to clean clothes that are 
traditionally dry cleaned.

ADDRESSES: The document is available at a cost of $12.00 from the 
Government Printing Office (GPO), 732 North Capitol St., NE., 
Washington, DC 20401, telephone (202) 783-3238. Ask for document number 
EPA 744-R-093-004. This document is also available from the National 
Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5258 Port Royal Road, 
Springfield, VA 22161, telephone (703) 487-4650; ask for publication 
PB94-108030. The cost is $27. Free copies of the Executive Summary can 
be obtained by contacting EPA's Pollution Prevention Information 
Clearinghouse (PPIC), Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., 
Mail Code 3404, Washington, DC 20460, telephone (202) 260-1023, Fax 
(202) 260-1678. A brochure on multiprocess wet cleaning is also 
available from PPIC. Ask for document number EPA 744-S-94-001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: EPA's Pollution Prevention Information 
Clearinghouse (PPIC), Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St., SW., 
Mail Code 3404, Washington, DC 20460, telephone (202) 260-1023, Fax 
(202) 260-1678.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Agency's Design for the Environment 
Program within the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics formed a 
partnership with the dry cleaning industry, universities, and 
environmental, labor, and consumer groups to explore ways to reduce 
exposure to perchloroethylene (PCE), the chemical solvent used by most 
dry cleaners to clean clothes. In November and December 1992, a short-
term, high volume demonstration project was conducted to compare the 
cost and performance of the alternative non-solvent process with 
traditional dry cleaning methods that use PCE. Results of the project 
indicate that the wet cleaning process appears to be economically 
competitive and acceptable to consumers. The new wet cleaning method, 
which can reduce the public's exposure to toxic dry cleaning chemicals, 
may be a viable alternative for some of the nation's dry cleaners.

    Dated: June 28, 1994.
Mark A. Greenwood,
Director, Office of Pollution, Prevention and Toxics.
[FR Doc. 94-17911 Filed 7-21-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-F