[Investigation of health effects associated with solvents used in dry cleaning workplace (report 1). Tetrachloroethylene concentration in working environment].

Tetrachloroethylene (TCE) level in the working environment was measured at five dry cleaning workplaces. Time weighted average (TWA) concentration of TCE collected using an activated charcoal badge were 2.3-19.1 ppm in summer and 1.3-56.9 ppm in winter. TCE level in the work place measured during the work process showed that when the dry cleaning machine was opened to remove clothes, TCE ranged from 63.2 to 85.6 ppm and while the machine was operating ranged from 50.8 to 143 ppm. TCE levels at the middle of the cleaning cycle ranged horizontally from 0.5 to 11.0 ppm (mean 3.0 ppm, 12 sampling points) in summer and from 7.7 to 85.3 ppm (mean 28.0 ppm. 12 sampling points) in winter. The values varied according to the location of the sampling point. In the living area adjacent to the workplace, TCE was found to be at the same level as the workplace. Therefore in order to prevent other family members from being affected it is recommended that the workplace be separated from the residence.