Linde Introduces Analytical Standard for Dry Cleaning Solutions


Offers streamlined analysis for environmental testers in pursuit of soil and groundwater clean-up

Murray Hill & New Providence, New Jersey, U.S. - Linde North America has introduced an analytical gas standard specifically for analyzing dry cleaning solvent residues in the soil and groundwater. For the first time, environmental source testers have a standard for calibrating gas chromatographs for the sole purpose of analyzing soils and groundwater that potentially contain harmful hydrocarbons in dry cleaning solvents.

Linde North America is member of The Linde Group, a world-leading gases and engineering company. The SPECTRA® DCS calibration standard, is a five-component gas mix to analyze for the five traditional dry cleaning solvents, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, cis-1,2 dichloroethylene, trans-1,2 dichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride, all of which are considered carcinogens.

"The new SPECTRA DCS standard eliminates the need for testers to rely on conventional standards that have up to 65 components in the mix, with up to 60 components outside their area of interest," said Michael Hayes, head of environmental product development. "Using those multi-component mixes for the five dry cleaning solvent components they're testing for could take environmental testers up to an hour and a half to get results. The new five-component mix reduces the time to less than a half hour, helping to accelerate clean-up while lowering cost considerably."

The issue of soil and groundwater contamination from dry cleaning operations is primarily a legacy issue. "The potential problem stems from cleaning operations as far back as 50 years ago, a threat which remains significant today," said Hayes. "In past decades, the volume of solvent to dry clean clothes was as much as five to ten times greater than present usage, generating significant releases of potentially harmful hydrocarbons to soil and groundwater."

Currently, five states - Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas -- have regulations that require testing of the soil around dry cleaning operations. "I believe it's only a matter of time before these regulations spread across the country," Hayes said.

The Linde Group is a world-leading gases and engineering company with around 48,500 employees working in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2010 financial year, it achieved sales of EUR 12.9 billion (USD 17.9 billion). The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards long-term profitable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services.

Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment - in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. Linde is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.

For more information, see The Linde Group online at www.linde.com.

Contact:
Jon Lederman
Linde Corporate Communications
908-771-1491
Jon.Lederman@linde.com

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