Comment Log Display

Glenn R. Stewart, Ph.D.
4524 Briney Point Road
La Verne, CA 91750-2303


January 11, 2007

Dr. Sawyer and Board members



Dear Dr. Sawyer and Board members:

As a Professor of Zoology and Environmental Science, I am very
concerned
about the use of the toxic chemical perchloroethylene (perc) used
in dry
cleaning. I want to thank you and the Board for voting last May to
phase
out this carcinogen. Your action will help protect the cleaners,
customers
and our neighborhoods.

I am writing you with three requests that will strengthen your
current
perc phaseout proposal:

1. Instead of the 15-year phaseout in your current proposal, speed
up this
process to a 10-year phaseout. 2. One alternative to perc dry
cleaning
causes smog. This is why I am also asking you to phase out new
systems
that use hydrocarbon solvents. 3. To provide immediate protection
to those
who need it most, require perc dry cleaners within 300 feet of
residential
zones, schools, medical facilities or other sensitive areas to be
phased
out by 2010.

Please continue to protect Californians from the health hazards
of
perchloroethylene by adopting these measures. Thank you for your
attention
to my comments!

Sincerely,


Glenn R. Stewart, Ph.D.