Researchers have found a link between exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE), a common chemical, and an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to a recent study.
A recent study published in the journal Neurology has revealed a connection between trichloroethylene (TCE), a widely used chemical in the United States, and an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. Researchers from the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, analyzed data from over 222,000 individuals recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s, alongside more than 1.1 million people without the disease.
TCE is a chlorinated solvent commonly employed for degreasing metal parts and in industrial cleaning processes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), TCE is regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act due to its potential health risks, which include liver and kidney cancers, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and damage to the central nervous system, immune system, and reproductive organs. The chemical has also been linked to fetal heart defects.
Previous research has indicated that TCE can cross the blood-brain barrier when inhaled or ingested, potentially causing neuronal damage. In this latest study, the researchers specifically examined the relationship between ambient TCE exposure and Parkinson’s disease risk, particularly focusing on individuals living near facilities that emit TCE.
Dr. Brittany Krzyzanowski, Ph.D., an assistant professor of neurology at Barrow, stated, “We found a nationwide relationship between ambient TCE and Parkinson’s disease risk and some compelling patterns of high risk in individuals who live near certain facilities that emit TCE compared to those whose homes are farther away.”
The study identified the highest outdoor concentrations of TCE in the Rust Belt region of the U.S., as well as in several smaller areas across the country. Dr. Krzyzanowski expressed that while the association between TCE exposure and Parkinson’s disease risk is not new, this study is significant as it links ambient TCE levels in neighborhood air pollution to the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease on a national scale.
Despite these findings, the study’s observational nature means it does not definitively prove that TCE exposure causes Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Krzyzanowski noted that the research was limited to Medicare-aged individuals, which means the results may not apply to cases of early-onset Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Aaron Ellenbogen, a neurologist and lead physician at the Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders Center at the Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders, acknowledged that the findings are consistent with previous research. He pointed out that the first documented case linking Parkinson’s disease to TCE exposure was published in 1969. Dr. Ellenbogen emphasized that TCE is used in various applications, including dry cleaning and industrial solvents.
While the exact mechanism by which TCE may contribute to Parkinson’s disease remains unclear, Dr. Ellenbogen suggested that it could involve a complex interplay between environmental exposure and genetic susceptibility. Dr. Guy Schwartz, co-director of the Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders Center at Stony Brook Medicine, highlighted that TCE is prevalent in everyday materials such as cleaning wipes, glue, and ink, as well as in the manufacturing of soap, paper, and plastics.
Dr. Schwartz cautioned that exposure to TCE, even in small amounts over extended periods, could trigger the biochemical processes leading to the premature death of neurons, a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease. He also noted that TCE is not the only risk factor to consider, suggesting that exposure to multiple neurotoxins may contribute to the onset of the disease.
Dr. Ellenbogen mentioned that avoiding TCE exposure can be challenging. He recommended using medical-grade air purifiers, filtering water, and avoiding plastic water bottles as potential measures to reduce risk. Dr. Krzyzanowski encouraged individuals to be aware of the previous studies linking TCE exposure to Parkinson’s disease and to investigate whether their communities are affected by TCE contamination. She suggested that community involvement in environmental advocacy and remediation efforts could be beneficial.
The study received support from the American Academy of Neurology and the Barrow Neurological Foundation. Fox News Digital reached out to several manufacturers of TCE for comment but did not receive a response.
Source: Original article