Is Perchloroethylene safe in indoor air?

Perchloroethylene is classified as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC Group 2A), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found it likely to cause cancer in people.

Why here

As a volatile organic compound, perchloroethylene readily evaporates into indoor air from sources like dry-cleaned clothes, consumer products, and vapor intrusion, leading to inhalation exposure.

What would have to be true

Inhalation of perchloroethylene in indoor air, with levels potentially reaching up to 150 µg/m³ from dry-cleaned items or several hundreds of µg/m³ in buildings co-located with dry cleaners. The New York State Department of Health recommends indoor air levels not exceed 30 µg/m³.

Exposure to perchloroethylene in indoor air has been associated with adverse reproductive effects.

Why here

Inhalation of perchloroethylene, a volatile organic compound present in indoor air, can lead to systemic absorption and potential impact on the reproductive system.

What would have to be true

Chronic inhalation exposure to perchloroethylene in indoor air.

Chronic inhalation exposure to perchloroethylene in indoor air can lead to liver and kidney damage.

Why here

Perchloroethylene is a volatile organic compound that can be inhaled in indoor air, and long-term exposure can result in systemic effects on organs like the liver and kidneys.

What would have to be true

Chronic inhalation exposure to perchloroethylene in indoor air, as seen in occupational settings or residential areas with elevated levels.

Perchloroethylene is classified as "probably carcinogenic to humans" (IARC Group 2A) and "likely to be carcinogenic to humans by all routes of exposure" (EPA), with evidence linking chronic inhalation exposure to increased risks of bladder cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and possibly multiple myeloma.

Why here

PCE is a volatile organic compound that can be inhaled as vapor from dry-cleaned items, indoor air near dry cleaning facilities, or consumer products containing the chemical.

What would have to be true

Chronic (long-term) inhalation exposure, such as from living near dry cleaners, frequent handling of dry-cleaned garments, or using consumer products that release PCE vapors.

Perchloroethylene exposure may be harmful to unborn children, with animal studies showing problems with pregnancy such as miscarriage, birth defects, and slowed growth after inhalation exposure, though human studies are not conclusive.

Why here

PCE is a volatile chemical that can be inhaled, and it has been identified as a potential reproductive toxicant.

What would have to be true

Inhalation exposure during pregnancy.

Acute inhalation of high levels of perchloroethylene can cause central nervous system depression, leading to dizziness, headache, drowsiness, incoordination, and at very high levels, unconsciousness or death, while chronic low-level exposure may result in changes in mood, memory, attention, reaction time, and vision.

Why here

PCE is a central nervous system depressant and its vapors are readily absorbed through the respiratory system.

What would have to be true

Acute inhalation of high concentrations (e.g., 100-300 ppm for CNS depression, 1,000-1,500 ppm for more severe effects) or chronic inhalation of lower levels over extended periods.