New law regulates dry cleaning chemical

  

August 24, 2012 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Friday putting tougher regulations on a chemical used by dry cleaners.

The law makes cleaners improve containment of a chemical known as PERC.

Starting in 2013, any new cleaning machines must also reduce the amount of PERC it uses.

Quinn says the chemical can hurt workers.

"We want to do the very best we can to make sure that we use best practices with respect to the handling of PERC and the process of dry cleaning," Quinn said.

State officials say there are almost a thousand licensed cleaners in Illinois. Last year, about 45,000 gallons of PERC were bought in the state.

Get more Illinois News »

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•