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MEASUREMENT OF PERCHLOROETHYLENE IN AMBIENT AIR
Citation:
Evans, G., R. Baumgardner, J. Bumgarner, P.L. Finkelstein, AND J. Knoll. MEASUREMENT OF PERCHLOROETHYLENE IN AMBIENT AIR. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/4-79/047 (NTIS PB80144678).
Description:
Perchloroethylene (i.e., tetrachloroethylene) is an organic solvent widely used in dry cleaning and industrial metal degreasing operations. Short-term field studies were conducted in each of three major metropolitan areas which were selected on the basis of the number, density and size of perchloroethylene emission sources as well as the proximity of such sources to centers of high population density. Dry cleaning, a ubiquitous activity scattered throughout any metropolitan area, increases in volume proportionately with population density. Hence, New York City, with the greatest population density in the U.S., was selected as a study area. Metropolitan Houston was chosen primarily because the Diamond Shamrock plant, located in suburban Deer Park, is one of the largest perchloroethylene producers in the nation. Finally, metropolitan Detroit was included because of the number of metal degreasing operations located in the area.