Dry-cleaning workers have at greater risk of dying from certain types of cancer compared with people in the general population.
These workers have an increased risk of tongue, lung and cervical cancer, pneumonia, and (reduction of blood flow to the heart in people) when exposed only to perchloroethylene.
The original findings on these workers showed they faced increased risks of bladder cancer and urinary stones. In a 1994 update, the researchers discovered an increased risk of esophageal and intestinal cancer.
In the current study, the investigators found that the dry-cleaning workers had a 25% higher rate of cancer deaths overall compared with the general population.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine 2001;39:121-132
Interesting that the study does not cite the association with dry cleaning with the established link to breast cancer.
No big deal, as you do not want in any way to be around these chemicals. If you work in a dry cleaning store, I would strongly advise switching jobs.
If you use a dry cleaner I would suggest finding clothes that do not require a dry cleaner as your use of their services is facilitating humans working in a dangerous environment.
The US Department of Labor lists the following symptoms from exposure to perchloroethylene on its website:
There are alternatives to dry cleaning, however. One is known as "Wet Cleaning" and is beginning to become more readily available.
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