Number

019-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

A hospital laundry establishment located in Madrid dry-cleaned sheets, towels, working clothes, etc. for several healthcare facilities. Perchlorethylene was used only to remove persistent stains. Union intervention managed to eliminate the product and clothes with persistent stains are now discarded.

Substituted substances

Reliability of information

Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication

Reason substitution

CMR

Other type of alternative

The process was modified. Perchloroethylene was used to remove stains that would not wash away with regular laundering. Given the risk it implied the use of this chemical for workers? health, this phase of the process was eliminated. Heavily stained garment pieces are discarded and replaced by new ones.

The main organizational measure is eliminating the dirtiest clothes so they would not need a secondary cleaning process.

Hazard Assessment

» Check the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC)

Description of Substitution

Introduction Perchlorethylene was detected during a substitution project developed by the regional union’s health and safety department (CC.OO. Madrid). Union representatives requested from the employers the safety data sheets of all the products used in cleaning processes. The examination of SDS revealed the use of perchlorethylene, a known carcinogen and toxic for the aquatic environment. The elimination of the product was assessed and it was concluded that the most adequate solution was to eliminate the phase of the process that involved its use: removal of persistent blood stains and biological wastes off bedclothes that would not wash out with the first laundering. Description of procedure or technology (including pre-/post-processing) Removing stubborn stains in a laundry. The second laundering was eliminated and heavily stained clothes are now discarded and replaced by new ones. Union representatives verified that the dangerous process was not outsourced and dangerous wastes were adequately discarded. Way of application: e.g. spraying, dipping, open/closed system etc. Risk management measures (technical, organizational and personal) The most important organizational measure is the disposal of the dirtiest laundry and thus the elimination of the second cleaning process. Risk reduction by alternative: Human health: e.g. more/less safety measures e.g. technical/operational/personal protection measures Eliminating health hazards from perchlorethylene Risk reduction by alternative: Environment: e.g. waste reduced/increased Eliminating environmental hazards from perchlorethylene The health and safety representatives were informed that if the machine (where perchloroethylene was used) is about to be dismantled a specific Risk Assessment must be performed. They were also informed about waste management and disposal procedures.

Case/substitution evaluation

Advantage or Disadvantage of alternative

Aspect	Advantage/disadvantage to conventional process
Technical requirements
Implementation	The main advantage about eliminating the cleaning product (compare to substitution) is that risks of exposure to workers and environment are totally eliminated.
Operational expenses
etc.

State of implementation

In use

Date and place of implementation

Spain

Enterprise using the alternative

Lavandería hospitalaria central de la Comunidad de Madrid
Camino de la Presa s/n
28840
Mejorada del Campo MADRID
Telefono:91 679 00 89
http://www.madrid.org/cs/Satellite?language=es&pagename=LavanderiaHospitalaria%2FPage%2FHLAV_home

Type of information supplier

User

Contact

www.madrid.ccoo.es/ Ana Teresa García Oliver CCOO Madrid agarciaoliver@usmr.ccoo.es (+34)915365121 Pedro Unanue, 14 bis 28045 Madrid

Date, reviewed

February 27, 2020