Exposure to tetrachloroethylene or dry cleaning solvents

Exposure to tetrachloroethylene or dry cleaning solvents

Tetrachloroethylene is used mainly in the dry cleaning industry but is also used in car care products, and in the textile, printing and film industries.  It is commonly know as perchloroethylene or 'perc'.

Other dry cleaning solvents

Dry cleaning solvents dissolve oils and fats that are not water soluble. Apart from 'perc', petroleum hydrocarbons, such as white spirits, are commonly used in dry cleaning.  Solvents have many uses besides dry cleaning, these include degreasing, fire retardation and pesticides, for example carbon tetrachloride.

Carbon tetrachloride has been known to be highly toxic since the 1920's.  Its use in Australia was phased out by 1995.  The Department of Defence have advised that carbon tetrachloride was used extensively in vehicle workshops.  It was used as a degreaser and therefore mechanics and drivers of all three services were the most likely trades to be using this solvent on a regular basis.  In the 1960's the use of carbon tetrachloride was restricted and has been replaced by less toxic alternatives but has not been eliminated altogether.

Additional information may be found in Physical requirements, duties, and workplace hazards of specific military occupations which also contains an embedded hotword, military occupations with fumes and irritants component.

Last Reviewed for CCPS 12 March 2008.

INVESTIGATIVE DOCUMENTS

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS [39117]

39126 there is some evidence that exposure to tetrachloroethylene or dry cleaning solvents may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

39146  the veteran has established the causal connection between inhaling or having cutaneous contact with tetrachloroethylene or dry cleaning solvents and operational service for the clinical onset of malignant neoplasm of the bladder.

CLINICAL ONSET AND OPERATIONAL SERVICE [39146]

39147 the veteran has experienced inhalation or cutaneous contact with tetrachloroethylene or dry cleaning solvents for a cumulative period of at least 5000 hours at some time.

39148 the veteran experienced inhalation or cutaneous contact with tetrachloroethylene or dry cleaning solvents for a cumulative period of at least 5000 hours before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

39149 operational service made a material contribution to the veteran experiencing inhalation or cutaneous contact with tetrachloroethylene or dry cleaning solvents for a cumulative period of at least 5000 hours before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.