Chemical Materials for Dry Cleaning Can Cause Cancer?

The chemicals used in the washing process without the use of water or dry cleaning may be harmful to human health.

A study conducted by a team from Denmark, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, revealed that the chemical Tricholorethylene (TCE) in the dry cleaning process can increase the risk of cancer.

TCE itself previously known to be carcinogenic in animals. Because it has been alleged that these chemicals also cause cancer in humans.

TCE is a chemical that is used in dry cleaning services since 1950. Besides this substance is also used in paint thinner, bleach, adhesives, and other cleaning products.

To determine whether TCE have negative effects on humans, a team of Danish researchers followed more than 40,000 people from 1947 to 1989 and their monitor TCE levels as well as the presence or absence of cancer incidence.

During this period, the researchers found that men exposed to TCE had 8 percent increased risk of developing cancer, while in women the risk is 23 percent.

But what should be noted is the respondent's exposure to TCE is much higher than those in the present.

"Currently TCE is usually only used to remove stains on laundry services point," says lead researcher Johnni Hansen, PhD.

In other words, clothes wash services are now no longer a major cause of exposure to TCE. Precisely those who need to be alert are those who work in the field of industrial metal because TCE is used in large quantities in this industry.

Although it was not known how safe of TCE exposure, but exposure every day, like the workers in the metal industry, need to be aware of the risk of cancer.

In the meantime, if you want to avoid chemicals at all, you should select a cleaning service that uses substances that are not harmful.