Is Dry cleaning safe during pregnancy?
Air out dry-cleaned items before bringing them inside or wearing them. Background exposure isn't expected to cause birth defects.
What the sources say
MotherToBaby says general background PCE exposure is unlikely to increase the chance of birth defects, and high exposure is unlikely in dry-cleaning workplaces that handle PCE properly. Air out PCE dry-cleaned items before bringing them indoors or wearing them. EPA advises not accepting items with a strong chemical odor. PCE can enter breast milk and hasn't been well studied in breastfeeding; discuss with your provider, especially if you work in dry cleaning.
Also listed as
dry cleaned clothes, dry cleaner, pce, perc, perchloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene
Sources
- MotherToBaby: Perchloroethylene (PCE, PERC)
- EPA: Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality
Last reviewed . This is general information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor or midwife about your own situation.