[Evaluation of occupational exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PER) in a dry cleaning business].

In eleven chemical laundries, occupational exposure to perchloroethylene (PER) has been evaluated. The examinations have been carried out with the personal dosimetry technique and involved 99 workers, performing different occupational tasks. Exposure of a magnitude varying with particular occupational groups have been indicated by 253 personal measurements taken. Most exposed to PER have been machine set operators and maintenance technicians. Time-weighted average (8h) concentrations of PER in the breathing zone were, on average, 142 mg/m3 in the machine set operators and 91.8 mg/m3 in maintenance technicians groups.