Sierra Club Recommends Solvair “when drycleaning”

Added at 2:03pm, Tuesday March 23rd 2010

Sierra Club Recommends Solvair “when drycleaning”

The environmental group, the Sierra Club has published new advice to consumers stating that “if dry cleaning is an absolute must, consider a dry cleaning shop that uses Solvair technology.” In taking this step, the Sierra Club retracted incorrect statements on its website, and reversed its previous position that warned consumers to “avoid Solvair”. The Sierra Club is the oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization in the United States and very influential in the political arena. The organization is widely quoted by news sources and typically viewed by consumers as a good source of information on environmental issues.


“We are very pleased.” commented Jamie Mayberry Vice President of marketing for Solvair LLC, “A major environmental group like Sierra Club doesn’t change its position lightly.”

 

 

In an article, “Green drycleaning; Clean your clothes without harmful chemicals,” published on www.sierraclubgreenhome.com, Sierra Club previously stated that: “glycol n-butyl ether [sic], which is suspected of causing adverse health impacts, including hormone disruption, is used as the solvent”. The article also recommended that consumers “skip drycleaning entirely” and “avoid Solvair”.

 

According to Mayberry, “As a company providing eco-conscious business solutions, Solvair was disappointed by this statement on many levels. The article ignored Solvair’s environmental benefits and concentrated only on the solvent --rather than the entire system. They described the wrong solvent and the information on the solvent was inaccurate. The writer appeared to have confused propylene glycol ethers with ethylene glycol ethers; a rough analogy might be to confuse ethanol (drinking alcohol) with methanol (the poisonous wood alcohol). We immediately contacted Sierra Club to express our concerns and backed up our point with toxicological and process information.”


Generally, “glycol ether” is a term used generically to describe ethylene glycol ethers. It is important to note that Solvair does NOT use an ethylene glycol ether nor does it use “glycol n-butyl ether” as has been incorrectly stated; it uses Dipropylene Glycol n-Butyl Ether (DPnB) as a solvent component in its cleaning fluid. This substance is also different from other glycol ethers currently used in professional cleaning. DPnB is one of many propylene glycol ethers, and more specifically, part of the dipropylene family. These branches of the larger glycol family of chemicals have similar sounding names but have very different profiles and are used for very diverse applications. The family of propylene glycols, for example, can be found in consumer products ranging from hand-sanitizers to cosmetics to hard surface cleaners.


According to Solvair, “There is no information to suggest any relationship between DPnB and hormone disruption and we would not have selected DPnB for the Solvair Cleaning System in the first place if such a relationship was indicated.” To further clarify this issue, a manufacturer of DPnB, The Dow Chemical Company (DOW) was asked to comment on the toxicology data:


"There are no studies indicating an effect on endocrine disruption for propylene glycol n-butyl ethers. In several developmental toxicity studies - conducted in different species - no embryo-, fetal- or developmental toxicity was observed. Further, no treatment-related effects on any reproductive parameters were observed in reproductive toxicity screening studies. In an OECD SIDS assessment on propylene glycol ethers (including propylene glycol n-butyl ether and dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether) conducted in 2003 by the U.S. EPA, no concern for reproductive or developmental toxicity was identified for any of the propylene glycol n-butyl ethers. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in both humans and wildlife. No neurological or immunotoxic effects have been observed with propylene glycol n-butyl ethers in acute and repeated dose studies in different species and via different routes of exposure. Further, based on their chemical structure, glycol ethers are not expected to bind to endocrine receptors."


Sierra Club reviewed the information provided by Solvair, conducted its own research and, consequently, retracted its previous statements and removed Solvair from the “avoid” list.


“Although Solvair LLC does not agree with Sierra Club’s advice to “skip drycleaning entirely”, we are very appreciative that the organization took the time to listen with an open-mind, and was willing to change its position, based on careful review of the facts,” commented Mayberry.


Solvair reports that it is continuing to combat misinformation on other sites on behalf of the company, Solvair owners, and the industry in general. “It is a lesson for anyone in our industry. The fact-checking that used to be a cornerstone of journalism is often absent on the web, and information, whether correct or incorrect, spreads incredibly quickly,” says Mayberry. “Whether you are a manufacturer communicating with a national environmental group or an individual drycleaner managing Yelp reviews, it is important to ensure that accurate information is presented about your company and your industry.”


For more information on Solvair, visit www.solvaircleaning.com and to learn more about the Sierra Club, visit www.sierraclub.org.