Item - 2007.HL4.3

Tracking Status

  • This item was considered by Board of Health on May 14, 2007 and was adopted with amendments.

HL4.3 - Reducing Health Impacts of Perchloroethylene from Dry Cleaning in Toronto

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Amended

Board Decision

The Board of Health requested that:

 

1.         the federal Minister of Health recognize perchloroethylene as a probable carcinogen consistent with leading agencies such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer;

 

2.         the federal Minister of the Environment eliminate the use of perchloroethylene in dry cleaning in Canada by the earliest date possible and to encourage professional fabric cleaners to replace it with water-based cleaning and other inorganic solvent-based technologies;

 

3.         the Ontario Ministry of the Environment resume inspections of dry cleaning facilities to ensure compliance with all environmental regulations; and

 

4.         the Medical Officer of Health:

 

a.         in collaboration with other City divisions, consult with the dry cleaning industry and other community stakeholders to explore possible options to reduce the use of perchloroethylene in the short term;

 

b.         to contact existing dry cleaning establishments to advise them that the Board of Health will be considering the feasibility of municipal regulation to phase out the use of perchloroethylene in dry cleaning establishments so that they are aware of this if they are considering investment in their facilities, and, in consultation with Municipal Licensing and Standards staff, to provide similar information to anyone seeking a business licence for a new dry cleaning establishment;

 

c.         to report to the Board of Health in February 2008, on the feasibility of municipal regulation to phase out the use of perchloroethylene in dry cleaning facilities which are co-located with residential or other sensitive uses; and

 

d.         in consultation with the General Manager, Toronto Water, to include in his report in February 2008, a summary of Sewer Use By-law compliance by the dry cleaning industry and the potential reduction of perchloroethylene in the sanitary sewer system with the elimination of perchloroethylene in dry cleaning.

Origin

(April 30, 2007) Report from Medical Officer of Health

Summary

This report responds to the Board of Health’s request to assess the health impact of the dry cleaning industry in Toronto, and the ways and means of ensuring that the dry cleaning industry eliminates harmful chemicals from its cleaning process. Perchloroethylene (perc), also known as tetrachloroethylene, is the most commonly used solvent for dry cleaning in Toronto. The International Agency for Research on Cancer and a number of U.S. agencies classify perc as a possible or probable carcinogen, but Health Canada lists it as unlikely to be carcinogenic to humans.

There are approximately 360 perc-based dry cleaning facilities operating in the City of Toronto. Dry cleaners may locate inside a building that has residential units or provides space for sensitive uses such as child care facilities. Dry cleaning facilities that operate dry cleaning machines in such settings are referred to as being “co-located”. People living in buildings where perc-based dry cleaning occurs are at increased risk for health effects from exposure to perc.

Although dry cleaning technology improvements have reduced releases of perc to the air, studies show that people can still be exposed to perc at unacceptable levels. In the United States, steps have been taken to stop the use of perc in dry cleaning and replace it with other solvents and technologies that can be successfully used by professionals to clean fabrics. Water-based cleaning technologies and liquid carbon dioxide are two options that pose the least risk to human health and the environment. This report outlines measures to reduce exposure to perc used in dry cleaning, particularly in co-located settings.

Financial Impact

There are no financial impacts resulting from this report.

Background Information

(April 30, 2007) Report from Medical Officer of Health - Reducing Health Impacts of Perchloroethylene from Dry Cleaning in Toronto
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-3453.pdf
Attachment - Dry-cleaning Technical Report from Dr. McKeown
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2007/hl/bgrd/backgroundfile-23564.pdf

Communications

(May 10, 2007) Letter from Gary Fine, President, Parkers Custom Clothing Care (HL.Main.HL4.3.1)
(May 11, 2007) Letter from Stephen P. Risotto, Executive Director, Halogenated Solvents Industry Alliance (HL.Main.HL4.3.2)
(May 14, 2007) Letter from Nora Nealis, Executive Director, National Cleaners Association (HL.Main.HL4.3.3)
(May 14, 2007) Letter from Nancy Bradshaw, Co-Chair, Toronto Cancer Prevention Coalition (HL.Main.HL4.3.4)
(May 14, 2007) Submission from Sidney Chelsky, Careful Consulting Services (HL.Main.HL4.3.5)
(May 14, 2007) Submission from Brian Chelsky, President, Careful Hand Laundry & Dry Cleaners (HL.Main.HL4.3.6)
(May 14, 2007) E-mail from Eric Lehner, CEO, Winning Brands Corporation (HL.Main.HL4.3.7)

Speakers

Sidney Chelsky
Brian Chelsky, President, Careful Hand Laundry and Dry Cleaners
Eric Lehner, CEO, Winning Brands Corporation
George Manikis
Brad Maxwell, Ontario Fabricare Association
Naim Kosaric, Professor Emeritus, University of Western Ontario
Steve Kwan
Source: Toronto City Clerk at www.toronto.ca/council