(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The Environmental Protection Agency announced the ban of two cancer-causing chemicals used in dry cleaning Monday. It's a decision one Chicago-area dry cleaner fully supports.
The chemicals that will be banned are trichloroethylene – known as TCE – and tetrachloroethylene – known as perc.
Most dry cleaners have shifted away from using perc after health organizations deemed it a known carcinogen, but not all.
"A couple that I know as of today, they're still using perc. So I guess the equipment is very, very old."
Victor Seyedin owns Lake City Cleaners with three locations across the Chicago area.
He says he was the first in the country to use green technology and eco-friendly solvents.
"I'm not kidding that I had some people driving two and a half hours to come to me to dry clean their garment because of the safe dry cleaning."
Seyedin gets his alternative solvents from Germany, a more costly endeavor. But one he says is better for his customers and the environment.
The EPA ban on perc and TCE will take effect within the next year.
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