Worry About Dry-Cleaner

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31018, 25 March 1966, Page 1

Worry About Dry-Cleaner

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 24. The use of a dry-cleaning solvent, perchloroethylene, also known as tetrachloroethylene, should be investigated by the Department of Labour, said the Auckland Coroner (Mr A. D. Copeland) at an inquest at Otahuhu today.

He was holding an inquest into the death of Andre Mutu Wihongi, a 14-year-old schoolboy who was overcome by fumes while cleaning out a dry-cleaning machine at Otara Dry-cleaners, Ltd., Great South Road, on November 6.

He found the boy’s death was caused by the inhalation of fumes of perchloroethylene.

The Coroner quoted from a report by the Government analyst who carried out tests at three stages—when the door of the machine was opened; five minutes later; and 20 minutes later. These showed the fumes to be present in the order of 36,000 parts a million; 14,000 parts a million; and 8000 parts a million respectively. “A fatal concentration has been fixed at considerably less than that, at about 100 parts a million,” said Mr Copeland, saying that the department should conduct a investigation into the use of the solvent.

Ronald Valentine Willis, governing director of the drycleaning firm, said the machine had to have sludge removed once a week. He had cleaned the machine out himself a lot. To Mr C. P. Dolbel, who ap-

peared for the Department of Labour, witness said the boy knew the fumes could be dangerous. He had cleaned sludge from the machine off and on for 18 months. Mr R. Smith appeared for the company and Sergeant A. J. Eastwood for the police.