What products contain PCE?
Consumer products that may contain PCE include adhesives, fragrances, spot removers, stain removers, fabric finishes, water repellents, wood cleaners, motor vehicle cleaners and dry-cleaned fabrics (6–8).
What is PCE in groundwater?
PCE is an organic chemical introduced in the environment by human activity. Thus, its detection in an environmental sample (e.g., groundwater, surface water, soil, indoor, or ambient air) is associated with PCE spills or accidental release. PCE is toxic to humans at very low concentrations.
What is PCE contamination?
Tetrachloroethylene (also known as PCE or PERC) is a contaminant that has been found in waters that could be used as drinking water sources in Minnesota.
Is PCE banned?
The use of Perc has been losing favor slowly over time, especially on the West Coast, as new toxicological data continue to show that exposure to PCE is probably linked to an increase in risk of cancer. California enacted law in 2007 that requires all Perc drycleaning to be phased out by 2023.
What happens if you inhale benzene?
People who breathe in high levels of benzene may develop the following signs and symptoms within minutes to several hours: Drowsiness. Dizziness. Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
How do you remove PCE from water?
Drinking water can be treated by various in-line processes. Traditionally, air stripping and activated carbon filters are used to remove PCE and other volatile organic carbons (VOCs) from water. Ultra-violet radiation is also used for low-flow systems.
How do you treat PCE in groundwater?
Treatment of groundwater containing PCE includes traditional pump-and-treat technology (using air stripping or activated carbon filtration), in situ chemical oxidation with peroxide or ozone, de-chlorination by Hydrogen- Releasing Compound (HRC) and emerging biodegradation techniques.
Do dry cleaners still use PCE?
The best known use of PCE is as a commercial dry-cleaning solvent. Current data indicate that 70 percent of dry cleaners still use PCE, although effective, non-PCE alternatives are widely available.
