Phase-out of solvent tied to health problems opposed by dry cleaners. (Up Front).

Once again, the region's air quality board is set to break new ground nationally, and this time it's corner dry cleaners that are the target.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District is considering eliminating the use of perchloroethylene, more commonly known as perc, the solvent of choice by dry cleaners.

The chemical is considered a probable cause of cancer in humans, and has been linked with damage to the nervous, immune and reproductive systems, as well as the kidneys and liver.

The AQMD is not considering an outright ban, but rather requiring dry cleaners buying new equipment to choose systems that use alternative cleaning agents, such as a petroleum derivatives and just plain water.

Many of the region's dry cleaners oppose the regulation, complaining that Alternative cleaning methods are not as effective as perc, which has been in use for over 50 years -- and will ultimately cut into their bottom line.

"They simply cannot replace the solvent we use," charged Paul Choe, who owns a Lancaster cleaner and is vice president of the Korean Dry Cleaners Association. "We don't want a lawsuit, but if we have to (file one) we will."

The proposed regulations, still being finalized by AQMD staff, are the latest in a series of rules that the agency has developed to reduce toxic pollutants that can cause cancer and other health problems. Another high profile effort involved regulations that require large fleets to move from diesel to alternative fuels, such as natural gas.

Dry cleaners are considered a significant risk given the sheer number of them in the air district -- roughly 2,200 -- and the fact that they are on seemingly every other corner, often near homes.

"Perc is a very good solvent and it cleans very well, but even with the best technology today it's a pretty high health risk to the surrounding community," said Jill Whynot, the agency's planning and rules manager.

Dry cleaning is actually a misnomer, since it involves the use of a liquid solvent in specialized washing and drying machines. Regulations adopted since 1994 already require dry cleaners to use enclosed systems that capture and recycle the chemical. That has cut perc use by 90 percent in the district, but the AQMD estimates half of what is still being used is lost into the air, an estimated 850 tons annually.

The new regulation would set a national precedent by altogether eliminating its use by dry cleaners. As such it has also drawn the opposition of the chemical industry, which contends it is safe to use.

The AQMD has not taken the threat of a lawsuit lightly, and has delayed consideration of the regulations by the agency's board, planned for this summer, until September at the earliest. That came after field tests found cleaners emit less perc than estimated, but not enough to scrap the regulations. The agency is now working on new environmental documents to ensure the regulations will not be overturned by any legal technicality.

Agency officials say they also have crafted the rule to be sensitive to the fact that most dry cleaners are small businesses. The proposed language would require new facilities and those adding equipment to buy non-perc machines starting January 1, 2003. Replacement equipment would have to be non-perc, starting July 1,2004.

The regulation also would require dry cleaners to replace perc machines over 15 years old. The agency says this provision is generous because most cleaning machines are replaced within 10 years of use. Environmentalists claim the agency has bent over backwards to satisfy cleaners.

"We felt 10 years was a reasonable phase out," says Tim Carmichael, executive director of The Coalition for Clean Air, a Los Angeles based group. "This is an issue for every neighborhood in Southern California."

Alternatives considered

But that is not how dry cleaners see it.

Jon Meijer, a vice president of the International Fabricare Institute, a Maryland-based trade group, said the rule is unnecessary because perc use is down nationally, given new cleaning technology. And with the questions about perc's toxicity, there are already efforts to seek alternatives.

"It would be perfect if there was a really great alternative out there, but there is not enough information for dry cleaners to switch," he said. "Alternative solvents are still being studied."

Chief among the alternatives are petroleum derivatives, which actually predate perc and remain in use. But the solvent is not as effective and also is flammable, although new formulations have lessened that problem, he said.

Also gaining popularity is so-called professional wet cleaning, which involves the use of water and detergents under highly controlled conditions with sophisticated computer-controlled machinery.

But wet-cleaning cannot be used on all fabrics and the garments take more time to press and finish, Meijer said. The other alternatives are even newer and less tested: liquid silicone and compressed carbon dioxide.

The South Coast Air District counts 70 cleaners that have switched to petroleum derivatives, including Barry Gershenson, co-owner of Sterling Cleaners, one of the largest in West Los Angeles.

He converted in February, prompted by safety concerns. "It's actually working well, but there are some downsides, tradeoffs," he said.

The perc was a more powerful solvent, but petroleum is easier on clothes, causing less damage and allowing colored clothing to he mixed, he said.

Meanwhile, Deborah Davis operates Cleaner by Nature, the first dry cleaner in the region to go to wet cleaning under an AQMD grant she received in 1996. There are still only eight dedicated wet cleaners.

Since then she has switched largely to liquid silicone, in combination with wet cleaning, after her store became so busy that the finishing and pressing process became too time consuming. She also sent about 5 percent of her clothes out to a traditional dry cleaner because they could not be wet cleaned.

She believes silicone is a far safer alternative than petroleum derivatives. "I think it's a matter of time before they will be taken off the market too," she said.