For the first time since 1988, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) has updated its health assessment for
tetrachloroethylene (more commonly known as perc, and also known as
perchloroethylene) by formally classifying the chemical as a
"likely human carcinogen" and identifying long-term,
noncancer health effects associated with exposure to it. EPA
released its final health assessment for perc on February 10, 2012
on the agency's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS).
Perc is a commonly used dry cleaning solvent. It has also been
used as a metal degreaser and in coal processing plants and
laboratories. Due largely to releases of perc from dry cleaners,
perc is frequently detected in the environment, including in air,
soil, groundwater, and drinking water supplies. This has spawned
waves of lawsuits by persons whose homes or property have been
contaminated with perc. It has also caused some states, such as
California, to ban/phase-out the chemical.
