INDOOR EXPOSURE TO PERCHLOROETHYLENE (PCE) IN INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITHDRY-CLEANING WORKERS

Perchloroethylene (PCE) is the most widely used solvent in dry-cleanin g; it is toxic to the liver, kidney and centra nervous system and may be a human carcinogen. PCE levels in the ambient air of dry-cleaners' homes were measured, and samples of end-exhaled air (alveolar air) fro m subjects who were not themselves occupationally exposed, but who wer e members of the household of dry-cleaners were compared with samples from the general population. Thirty apartments were visited housing dr y-cleaners and their families, and located well away from the dry-clea ning premises. Indoor air samples and alveolar air samples were collec ted contemporaneously from the dry-cleaners (36) and members of their household (34). The same sampling procedure was followed in 25 private homes where samples of alveolar air were collected from 41 subjects w ho were not occupationally exposed and who acted as control group. All the samples were analysed by direct-injection gas-chromatography. PCE levels in dry-cleaners' homes proved to be significantly higher than in control houses (geometric means: 265 vs. 2 mug/m3, p < 0.001). PCE levels in the alveolar air exhaled by dry-cleaners, their family membe rs and control subjects were statistically different (geometric means: 5140, 225 and 3 mug/M3, respectively; P < 0.001). PCE is a ubiquitous substance in indoor air, but is present at higher concentrations in a partments where dry-cleaners and their families live. Biological monit oring of PCE in alveolar air confirms that family members of dry-clean ers are more exposed than the general population.