Stephen Fry just said on 'Qi' that the fluid is toxic (and Stephen's never wrong is he!!) - how do we know they don't wash it down the drains?
2006-12-16 09:46:11 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
It's recycled within the cleaning machinery filtered and used over and over.
2006-12-16 09:51:17 · answer #1 · answered by Steve K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dry cleaning fluid is generally perchloroethylene (aka tetrachloroethylene), which is indeed quite toxic, but is also a good solvent especially for oily contamination. The 'dry' part means as opposed to normal cleaning which involves water and detergents.
Chlorinated solvents are generally recycled, and the residues sent for landfill (after pre-treatment)
2006-12-20 12:33:49 · answer #2 · answered by leejcole 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dry cleaning fluids are distilled in a closed system to separate the fluid from dirt and then reused.
Not counting leaky pipes or an accident,.the only time dry cleaning fluid is added to the cleaners tank is to replace fluid lost to evaporation.
2006-12-16 17:52:53 · answer #3 · answered by Lorenzo H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is.
They are supposed to recycle it
2006-12-16 17:50:36 · answer #4 · answered by b r 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋