【爱马斯全球】不能没有手套之干洗化学品的危害 （节选）

      Workers in the dry cleaning industry need to be particularly careful as they come into frequent contact with a harsh chemical called perchloroethylene.

　　从事干洗工作的人员需要格外小心，因为他们会经常接触一种烈性化学物质：氯乙烯。

　　Perchloroethylene is a non-flammable, colorless, volatile organic compound frequently used in dry cleaning applications. It is also known as tetrachloroethylene, PCE and PERC. While dry cleaning fabrics is the most common use for PERC, it is also used to manufacture other chemical-based products.

　　氯乙烯是一种不可燃、无色的挥发性有机化合物，常应用于干洗行业。也叫作四氯乙烯， PCE和PERC。干洗材料最常用的就是PERC，它经常用来作为生产其他化学物质。

　　What’s the risk of dry cleaning chemicals?

　　干洗化学品的风险是什么?

　　PERC is the most common solvent used in dry cleaning which makes the serious health risks it poses to workers even more concerning. If employees regularly breathe in vapors or their skin comes into contact with the substance they can experience a variety of side effects; exposure may immediately lead to dizziness, blistering or irritation of the skin. Over time, exposure may cause loss of coordination, memory loss and delayed reaction times. Some studies have indicated PERC leads to an increased risk for many types of cancer. Several organizations, including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), have classified PERC as a probable human carcinogen. Employees with heart, liver, kidney or lung diseases are at a heightened risk of the effects of PERC.

　　PERC是干洗中最常见的溶剂，会引起工作人员的健康风险而引起了关注。若工作人员长期吸入PERC气体，或他们的皮肤接触到了PERC，会引发一系列的副作用：可能立马会引发头晕，皮肤气泡或受到刺激。长时间接触，能会导致协调力丧失，记忆丧失和反应迟钝。一些研究已经表明，PERC会增加患多种类型的癌症的风险。包括美国国家职业安全卫生研究所(NIOSH)，以及(负责)癌症研究的国家毒理学计划和国际机构(IARC)在内的一些组织已经将PERC归类为可能使人体致癌的物质。有心脏，肝脏，肾脏或者肺疾病的员工受到PERC影响的风险更高。

　　How can employers combat PERC exposure?

　　雇主如何与泄露的PERC作战?

　　Although most PERC-related health problems are caused by inhalation, the chemical may cause irritation after direct contact with the skin. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has workplace regulations in place to limit PERC exposure. Employers should adhere to these regulations in order to protect their workers. Part of adhering to these regulations is having the right protective gear on hand.

　　虽然大多数和PERC使用相关的健康问题是由于吸入(产生的)，(但是)皮肤直接接触化学品后可能会引起过敏。职业安全健康管理局(OSHA)出台工作场所相关规定，来限制(工人)与PERC的接触(机会)。用人单位应遵守这些规定，以保护劳动者。遵守这些规定的一部分(用人单位)正在配备合适的手部防护装备。

　　Industrial-grade latex and nitrile gloves protect workers who handle PERC from skin contact and face masks can minimize respiratory exposure. It is important to ensure the face masks employees are using are rated N95 by NIOSH to ensure a high level of protection for employees.

　　(使用)工业级橡胶和丁腈手套保护员工避免皮肤接触PERC，(同时使用)口罩可以最大程度减少呼吸道的暴露。根据美国国家职业安全卫生研究所评估，确保员工佩戴N95口罩以获得更高水平的防护是非常重要的。