SAFE HANDLING AND USE OF DRY-CLEANING SOLVENT
Although dry-cleaning solvent has been used safely for many years, it is a toxic substance. It must, like other chlorinated solvents, be regarded as a potentially hazardous material, which, if misused or improperly handled, can cause serious injury or even death. It is essential, therefore, that perchloroethylene be handled only by knowledge-able and experienced individuals who are familiar with the hazards associated with its use. The safety hazards of perchloroethylene are contained in BUMEDINST 6260.12.
Many incidents have been reported where Ship's Servicemen were overcome by fumes from dry-cleaning solvent. To prevent and minimize the hazards of handling dry-cleaning solvent, you must follow these precautions:
Use solvent only in well-ventilated spaces.
Avoid prolonged or repeated breathing of vapors.
Ventilate stowage areas well.
Free exhaust ducts, fans, and ventilation shafts of dirt, lint, or other debris.
Vent vapor recovery units to the outside air.

In addition to the above precautions you should inspect your equipment daily for loose or leaky joints, couplings, connections, valves, covers, or doors and report all discrepancies promptly to maintenance personnel. Do not eat, drink, or smoke in areas where the dry-cleaning solvent is handled. Any liquid solvent, even a trickle that comes in contact with the atmosphere, presents a potential hazard to personnel. If spills occur, they should be cleaned up promptly. Personnel who clean spills should wear rubber gloves and an approved respiratory protection device that is equipped with a canister or filter suitable for use with chlorinated vapors. Personnel not wearing rubber gloves or respirators should remain clear of areas where spills have occurred. Open all doors and turn on exhaust fans to ventilate the area. You should use a sorbent to clean up small spills. Allow the sorbent to stay in place until it has completely absorbed the solvent and then shovel the solvent-laden material into an airtight container and dispose of it properly. If a large spill occurs, it should be drained and then pumped into an airtight container for disposal. The dry-cleaning solvent should not be dumped into sewers, placed near water supplies, nor should it be drained into the bilges. It should be placed in a suitable container and disposed of in one of the following ways:

l Released to a licensed reclaimer
l Incinerated in an approved incinerator
l Evaporated in very small quantities
l Buried in landfills in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations

Dumping the solvent into any body of water is strongly discouraged and may be illegal. No personnel should be allowed to return to any areas where spills have occurred until all evidence of excessive vapors is gone.

HEALTH HAZARDS
Perchloroethylene can be used safely when proper precautions are observed; however, the user must guard against certain hazardous properties of the solvent. Users should guard against inhalation of excessive perchloroethylene vapor, prolonged or repeated contact of the liquid with the skin, swallowing the liquid, and splashing into the eyes. Manufacturers of dry-cleaning equipment design and build their dry-cleaning systems with these points in mind. When such equipment is operated and maintained in an appropriate manner, dry-cleaning solvent should not become a health hazard. Dry-cleaning supervisors should make sure a buddy system is adopted in the dry-cleaning operation. All dry-cleaning personnel should be alert for the signs of overexposure or illness caused by the dry-cleaning solvent including the following:

l Loss of inhibitions, lightheadedness, giddiness, or drunkenness
l Loss of coordination
l Stinging sensation in the eyes, nose, or throat
l Headache, nausea, or dizziness

FIRST AID
All personnel who work in areas where over-exposure to perchloroethylene could occur should be thoroughly trained in administering appropriate emergency first aid. Experience has shown that promptly administering such aid can help to reduce the possible adverse effects of accidental exposure. You must realize, however, that first aid is for emergency treatment only and medical attention should be obtained promptly.

Inhalation
The initial effects of overexposure due to inhaling the solvent will be nose and eye irritation, lightheadedness, dizziness, mental dullness, and uncoordination. If these symptoms are present, the affected person should be removed from the contaminated area to fresh air. Once the person is removed to an area where there is fresh air, recovery is usually rapid, If recovery is not rapid, symptoms worsen, or breathing has stopped, start artificial respiration and obtain medical attention at once.
Skin Contact
Perchloroethylene is an excellent solvent and because of this it removes natural oils from the skin. Prolonged and/ or repeated contact with the liquid may produce rough and dry skin which is more susceptible to infections. Exposures that are infrequent or of short duration should have no adverse effects; however, in some persons a mild irritation, consisting of a mild temporary redness, may occur. There is little practical hazard from the standpoint of skin absorption. Although perchloroethylene can penetrate the human skin in toxic quantities following massive or prolonged exposure, there is little absorption through the skin under normal conditions of use. Personnel whose skin comes in contact with the solvent should wash the affected area with large amounts of warm water and soap. Any contaminated clothes should be removed and dry cleaned.
Eye Contact
While the danger of serious injury is little or none if perchloroethylene is splashed into the eyes, a great deal of pain and redness may result. The eyes should always be flushed or rinsed with cool water immediately after contact and immediate medical attention sought.