The miracle of perchloroethylene
label perc “The Miracle Solvent”
since it has been that for the last 50 years. Making that
statement possible is state of the art equipment, such as
fourth- and fifth-generation machinery. If you just consider
some of the attributes of perc, we have to count our blessings,
and it’s time we asked the powers that be to recognize
and acknowledge the accomplishments towards the safety of this
 | ||
I started in this business with a twin
pocket transfer unit when 5,000 pounds of drycleaning took an
average of 50 gallons of solvent. Then came the acceptance of
“dry-to-dry” units.
Perc mileage, as the introduction of this
equipment continued, began rising steadily to where it can
reach more than 50,000 to 60,000 pounds per 50-gallon drum,
with some recording as high as 80,000!
Perc is now sold in convenient five- and
ten-gallon sealed containers. Units are offering
continuous distillation and have losses of less than 1/8 of a
percent, making the solvent more miraculous, totally new and
reusable.
Filtration has recorded the same
phenomenal savings. Complete simple removal of still residue
and documented disposal costs have gone from weekly pick-ups to
yearly quarters.
Perc now continues its reduction in use.
For the last ten years it’s down more than 86 percent due
to modern, safe methods.
Imagine, increases in drycleaning volume,
with astronomical decreases in solvent consumption, all with
the safe standards of excellence!
What pollution?
Columbia/Ilsa introduced a very efficient
additional system called the “Metatron” analyzer,
which carefully measures the temperature of the drying and will
only release the load when the parts per million (ppm) are at
the lowest acceptable federal, state and local level — a
minuscule 5 ppm.
No longer is perc exhausted to the
atmosphere. The air is perc free and the drycleaning is odor
free, delivering more mileage.
Yet perc has been victimized as a polluter
and restricted in various work places. In every area that perc
has performed, it has excelled, and with flying colors.
No present or past solvent can achieve the
KBV cleaning or effectiveness with soil removal using various
detergents and with tolerance for additional water.
It offers the capability and adaptability
with a host of additives such as flame proofing, water
proofing, moth or mildew treatment and sizing, while
maintaining its bacteria and germicidal ability.
Clothes cleaned with perc can include the
most fragile combinations chiffon, silks, synthetics, antiques
satins, all protected by a gentle cycle which reduces the
basket to a choice of non-revolving short wash and with reduce
speed slow extraction.
Then there is a choice of over 40
automatic pushbutton combinations offering detergent injection
per load or sizing at a final rinse cycle. All with short
complete, wash and dry cycles from start to finish!
Pollution to the atmosphere on all new
units is near non-existent and untraceable. Fortunately, many
perc units show this conclusively and satisfy state and local
agencies and even fire or building departments.
But those too blind to see lead the blind!
EPA and OSHA still cling to a study done over 20 years ago
claiming perc is carcinogenic. This study was done on rats (and
only male rats were affected). Perc is safe for human exposure,
yet the bans and restrictions still go on.
More puzzling, agencies waver between
changing the carcinogenicity classification from C (possible)
to B (probable), while a regional California agency declares
perc’s use to be banned twenty years in the future.
Media scare, political rhetoric
We have become victims of a media scare
and political rhetoric, and let the public be dammed.
It’s time for all to stand up, be
heard and counted. Manufacturers who have stood the test of
time ask to be judged with full knowledge that the phenomenal
innovations of the last few years are the main reasons for the
safety of perc.
I was introduced to Italian manufacturers
by my old associate, Mr. Al Lage, before my retirement, and had
the opportunity to meet Mr. Stephen Langiulli and the
principles of Columbia/Ilsa, Mr. Bonvincini and Mr. Malaguti,
at their modern plant north of Bologna. Stephen Langiulli is to
be congratulated for having the faith of his convictions that
progress and the truth would one day succeed.
What is this miracle that has taken perc
out of the dark ages, the final proof that has been put before
any agency or authority and has literally made saints out of
sinners?
Columbia/Ilsa introduced the
“Metatron.” To talk glowingly about any product in
conclusive terms may rare, but the Metatron is all that and
more. It eliminates releases to the atmosphere, and any
contamination or any by-products to the ozone layer, thereby
confirming zero emissions.
Through written documentation by an
analyzer recording tape, all functions, including the drying
and temperature plus vapors from the separator, lint trap,
filter, and distillation are recorded for the operator and all
others to see and furnish proof and, most important document
it, at a moment’s notice!
Since all drycleaning plants are compelled
to furnish records of purchases of perc and records of wastes
taken by a licensed hauler, everyone can now offer complete
corroboration, with poundage records, for the regulators’
satisfaction.
This is a breakthrough and it takes our
industry into the modern age. It reminds me of the progression
of a doctor’s stethoscope to innovations of a pacemaker,
to an implanted heart defibrillator.
When I think about some of the new
solvents that are touted in today’s market place, I
shudder at the hidden conditions that are present and are a
reality, such as build up, and cumulative bacteria with
horrendous odors, explosion and fire possibilities, and
damaging ozone.
Fortunately perc has had a 50-year history
of being an excellent and profitable workhorse and servant to
our industry. It deserves the praise it has earned and the
remarkable record it has achieved. Isn’t it time we
rewarded it with the worthy recognition it justly
deserves?recognition it justly deserves?
Ray Colucci, a consultant to the fabric
care industry, has revised and made available three timely
pamphlets: “Up Front Is Where It Counts” for
counter training; “Pressed for Perfection” for
finishing techniques; the popular “Route to Success To
the Home of Office” for complete route training. The
pamphlets are $20 each or all three for $50. Immediate delivery
with all postage paid is promised. Send requests and payment to
to R. Colucci, 410 Warren Ave., Mamaroneck, NY 10543.
 |