Common dry cleaning chemicals are linked to a 500% increased risk of Parkinson's disease

Common dry cleaning chemicals are linked to a 500% increased risk of Parkinson's disease

Trichlorethylene (TCE) is a chemical that is used in many industries, including military applications. It is an industrial pollutant and solvent known for its degreasing properties and effectiveness in spot dry cleaning. Although the use of TCE is declining, it is still widely used in various industrial processes. The strong contamination by TCE is worrying. The chemical has seeped into half of the most toxic Superfund sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Military bases like Camp Lejeune in particular suffer from this contamination. Given the ubiquity of TCE, it is of great importance to further understand its public health implications.

In a disturbing discovery, a growing number of scientific studies have been conducted linking TCE to Parkinson's disease. This degenerative disease of the nervous system has increased at an alarming rate worldwide. The fact that TCE is widely used in industries such as dry cleaning and metal degreasing makes this connection particularly concerning.

There has been suspicion of a possible connection between TCE and Parkinson's for some time. Recent studies have now given considerable credence to this connection. Animal studies have shown that TCE can penetrate the brain and cause significant damage to mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells. High doses of TCE can even cause a selective loss of dopamine-producing neurons, which is a hallmark of Parkinson's disease.

The risk of TCE exposure is not limited to occupational contact. The chemical can enter our lives through outdoor and indoor air as well as through contaminated groundwater. There are case studies that illustrate the potential danger. For example, a former NBA player was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at age 36, likely due to childhood exposure to TCE while his father was stationed at Camp Lejeune. Similarly, a Marine captain developed Parkinson's disease 30 years after exposure to TCE-contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. These stories show how difficult it can be