Sierra Club challenges continued 
use of perchloroethylene

WASHINGTON (09/27/06) -- The Sierra Club, represented by Earthjustice, has filed a lawsuit in federal court that challenges the Environmental Protection Agency's refusal to phase out the use of perchloroethylene, a chemical still used as a solvent in most dry cleaning facilities.  Earthjustice said approximately 27,000 dry cleaners currently use perchloroethylene, also known as "perc" or "PCE," and millions of Americans are at risk from their emissions.

"Dry cleaners are located in almost every neighborhood in America," said Marti Sinclair, Sierra Club's National Air Committee Chair. "Perc is a very dangerous chemical that threatens the health of workers and owners of dry cleaning facilities. Nursing mothers are also especially at risk. There are viable, less toxic cleaning machines and processes that are affordable and available now. This is a very simple equation that EPA simply chooses not to solve. There are so many people exposed to perc from dry cleaners that EPA should be making cleaning up this pollution a top priority. Instead, the agency has balked."

"EPA's refusal to get perc out of our communities is the latest letdown from an agency that consistently fails to do what Congress plainly intended: protect the public from toxic pollution," said Earthjustice attorney James Pew. "Dry cleaning machines that spew toxic pollution can and should be replaced. Perhaps the same could be said of the leadership at EPA."