Like many chlorinated hydrocarbons, tetrachloroethene is a central nervous system depressant, and inhaling its vapors (particularly in closed, poorly ventilated areas) can cause dizziness, headache, sleepiness, confusion, nausea, difficulty in speaking and walking, unconsciousness, and death.[2]

After repeated or extended skin contact, tetrachloroethene may dissolve fats from the skin, resulting in severe skin irritation in work environments where people have been exposed to high concentrations.

Tetrachloroethene is a common soil contaminant. Such contamination most often results from spillage, overfilling, sewer leakage, or the illegal disposal into UIC wells (e.g. septic systems, drywells) at commercial dry cleaning facilities. Because of the mobility of PCE in groundwater, its toxicity at low levels, and its density (which causes it to sink below the water table), cleanup activities tend to be especially problematic compared to cleanups of oil spills.

In industry, most workers are exposed to levels lower than those causing obvious nervous system effects. The health effects of tetrachloroethene at levels typically encountered in occupational or environmental exposures have not been well established.

Results from some studies suggest that women who work in dry cleaning industries where exposures to tetrachloroethene can be high may have more menstrual problems and spontaneous abortions than women who are not exposed. However, it is not known if tetrachloroethene was responsible

for these problems because other possible causes were not considered.[citation needed]

Results of animal studies, conducted with amounts much higher than those that most people are exposed to, show that tetrachloroethene can cause liver and kidney damage. Exposure to very high levels of tetrachloroethene can be toxic to the unborn pups of pregnant rats and mice. Changes in behavior were observed in the offspring of rats that breathed high levels of the chemical while they were pregnant.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified tetrachloroethene as a Group 2A carcinogen, which means that it is probably carcinogenic to humans.[3]


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1. What is GreenEarth®? GreenEarth is the brand name for a liquid silicone dry cleaning solution. It is an exclusive, patented dry cleaning process whose name and logo are trademarked (there are no “generic” forms of GreenEarth). The scientific name for liquid silicone is decamethylpentacyclosiloxane or D5.


2. Why is it better for the earth? Eighty-five percent of dry cleaners use a solvent known as perc, short for perchloroethylene, a chlorinated hydrocarbon classified by the EPA as a Toxic Air Contaminant. Use of perc is highly regulated because indiscriminate disposal of perc can seriously contaminate soil and groundwater, and exposure can irritate eyes, nose and throat, as well as cause headaches, dizziness or fatigue. Perc is also classified by the EPA as a possible to probable human carcinogen.

In contrast, GreenEarth is so safe the EPA does not regulate it; it’s safe for the air, water and soil. What’s more, the GreenEarth solution is not a VOC; it is non-toxic, and non-hazardous. If you wanted to, you could safely rub it on your skin. In fact, you probably already do. That’s because GreenEarth’s solution is pure liquid silicone—essentially liquefied sand. It’s the same base ingredient found in everyday shampoos, soaps and lotions. Plus, when released to the environment, liquid silicone safely degrades back into its three natural components: sand (SiO2), water and carbon dioxide.


3. Why is it better for clothes? GreenEarth solution is different from dry cleaning solvents in that liquid silicone is chemically inert, meaning it does not interact with the textile fabric or dyes during the cleaning process. This helps preserve the quality of garments, eliminates problems with fabric wear or color loss, maintains a soft “hand” and prevents shrinkage. Delicate silks, suede, leather, beads, sequins, painted garments, specialty buttons and trims, couture, heirloom fabrics and other “problem” items are no problem at all. And, unlike petroleum based solvents like perc or hydrocarbon, liquid silicone is odorless, so there is no lingering chemical smell on your clothes.





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