Minneapolis eliminates the use of Perchloroethylene from all of its dry cleaners. Perchloroethylene, commonly known as “perc,” is a chemical solvent used to clean clothes by dry cleaners, but there is scientific evidence that I is extremely dangerous and harmful to humans and the environment and a likely carcinogen. The city celebrated the removal of the last two barrels of the chemical.from Osman Cleaners, the last business in the city to become entirely “perc-free”.
Banning the use of Perchloroethylene in the USA has been a major issue for the local textile care industry and up until now government efforts were met with limited success. Perc use is banned in commercial laundries in France, where a big effort to replace existing machinery with new, environmental friendly one is taking place.