15. What is the regulatory outlook for dry cleaning and GreenEarth?
16. Am I limited on what machines or supplies I can use with GreenEarth?
17. Can I clean more of my suede, leather, vinyl and beaded garments if I switch to GreenEarth?
18. Has there been much testing done on GreenEarth?
19. I've heard that GreenEarth causes cancer, is that true?
20. What are the facts of the research?
21. I am seeing a lot of "organic" dry cleaning claims, is GreenEarth organic?
15. What is the regulatory outlook for dry cleaning and GreenEarth?
Dry cleaning is under increasing regulatory scrutiny. California's ban on the use of perc and the purchase of perc machines is widely regarded as the beginning of the end of the perc solvent. New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York and Toronto have all recently announced similar bans under consideration. If the industry continues to drag its feet when it comes to adopting "more environmentally-friendly alternatives", regulators can be expected to grow increasingly concerned and increase legislative pressure. The State of California has concluded that GreenEarth (D5) "as an alternative dry cleaning solvent will not pose an adverse health risk to the public. . . " and sees no need to regulate its use. GreenEarth continues to meet and exceed all regulatory requirements and regulations.
16. Am I limited on what machines or supplies I can use with GreenEarth?
No. GreenEarth can be used in a variety of machines with a variety of detergents, additives and spotting agents.
17. Can I clean more of my suede, leather, vinyl and beaded garments if I switch to GreenEarth?
Yes. The range of fabrics and trim combinations that can be successfully processed in GreenEarth exceeds those of all other solvents.
18. Has there been much testing done on GreenEarth?
GreenEarth is the only alternative solvent to perform and openly report extensive testing on its health, environmental and safety profile. Over $30 million worth of independent testing and research has been done on D5 solvent to confirm that it is ecologically friendly and safe to use in all of its many applications, including dry cleaning. GreenEarth also underwrote a comprehensive, 2002 IFI Fellowship Study, which compared the GEC system to the industry standard "perc system". The IFI declared GreenEarth to be "as effective as perc with no environmental concerns". Independent waste stream and air exposure testing confirmed that D5 as used in daily dry cleaning operation exceeds all federal, state and local requirements for water and air safety.
19. I've heard that GreenEarth causes cancer, is that true?
Absolutely not. This rumor dates back to 2004-2005 news coverage around the release of a voluntary 2-year bioassay study commissioned by Dow Corning, a manufacturer of D5. News reporters like to create controversy, and an erratic finding of this study allowed them to do just that. And although follow-up research was conducted that determined that D5 silicone poses no risk to human health, that story did not receive news coverage. Here is what matters: . The EPA does not recognize D5 silicone as a potential carcinogen or toxic air contaminant . The EPA does not regulate the use of D5 in dry cleaning or any other application . The California Air Resources Board conducted an 18 month review of D5 health and safety research and ruled that use of D5 in dry cleaning does not pose an adverse health risk for the public . More than 30 different studies on D5 demonstrate there is not a human health concern . D5 is one of the most extensively studied materials in consumer applications . D5 has been used safely for more than 40 years in many different applications . D5 can be shipped without any "hazardous handling" requirements
20. What are the facts of the research?
As part of its commitment to the safe use of silicone, Dow Corning commissioned a two year Combined Chronic/Carcinogenicity Study on D5 silicone. The study tested the effects of chronic inhalation of D5 at various levels of exposure for varying lengths of time, on male and female lab rats. None of the rats in the study were affected except for a small number of female rats in the test cell exposed at the highest possible exposure level for the longest possible time. Some of these rats developed pre-cancerous indicators, they did not develop cancer.
The rats affected were the female rats exposed to the highest achievable vapor concentration of D5-160 ppm (parts per million)-six hours a day continuously for two years. By contrast, people who work in a dry cleaning plant are exposed at the lowest measurable vapor concentration of D5-1 ppm-during an eight-hour workday. What is important to understand is that the study was designed to test the potential effects of D5 as a chemical, not its safe use in a dry cleaning application.
In order to better understand the test findings, follow up research was conducted by the Silicones Environmental, Health and Safety Council (SEHSC), the same group that conducted the original test. This research concluded that the effects observed in the original study were rat-specific and concluded that D5 does not pose a health risk to humans. This is because silicone is "read" by the female rat pituitary as dopamine, a naturally occurring chemical that can upset the balance of progesterone and estrogen and in turn lead to uterine tumors. The biological pathway that causes rats to react this way does not exist in humans, and scientific experts concluded that there is no risk to human health.
The safety of a food or chemical is often a matter of degree. Fluoride, salt and aspirin are all chemicals that can be toxic at high levels, but because their intended applications do not exceed safe limits, and because they provide benefits when used appropriately, we use them every day without concern.
21. I am seeing a lot of "organic" dry cleaning claims, is GreenEarth organic?
No. And that is a good thing. "Organic", as it relates to chemistry, refers to anything with a carbon backbone. Gasoline and asphalt are organic. Dry cleaners who market themselves this way are misleading the consumer.
22. What do I need to do to convert to GreenEarth?
Check out the information provided in the Buyers Guide. Next you will want to learn about any local regulations you would need to comply with and assess your equipment and supply needs. GreenEarth has done extensive testing and has pre-approved a number of different machines, detergents and spotting agents, to make selection of a quality system easier. The final step is to sign a letter of understanding, making your official membership application official. Once you join as an Affiliate, you will receive a membership kit and we will begin working with you to make sure your installation and conversion go smoothly.
