Once widely used in applications ranging from decaffeinated coffee to typewriter correction fluids, trichloroethylene has been identified as a potential cause of many cases of Parkinson’s disease in a new study.
Trichloroethylene (TCE), which is already associated with an increased risk of cancer and miscarriage, is not as widely used as it used to be. The researchers behind the new report believe its role in the development of Parkinson’s disease has been largely overlooked. They pooled data on the extent to which TCE is used in industrial processes, reviewed previous studies linking the chemical to Parkinson’s disease, and examined several cases in which TCE and the disease may be well linked.
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“The TCE is a simple six-atom molecule that can decaffeinate coffee, degrease metal parts and dry clothes. The colorless chemical was first associated with parkinsonism in 1969,” the researchers wrote in their paper.
TCE use peaked in the 1970s, when about 10 million people in the United States alone had daily contact with this chemical or something similar. It was used for everything from cleaning engines to giving anesthesia to patients.
Although the use of TCE is currently significantly limited in the EU and some US states, it continues to be in demand worldwide, particularly in China. Researchers argue that even in places where the chemical is prohibited, we are still exposed to it due to the constant contamination of water and soil.
Additionally, there is an association with Parkinson’s disease: The researchers cite several previous studies, one involving three industrial workers and one involving an auto mechanic. In a 2011 study of 198 twins, those exposed to TCE were five times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease.
Despite these and other studies showing the detrimental effects of TCE in animals, the exact nature of the relationship has not yet been confirmed. There are many reasons for this, including people not knowing what they’re coming into contact with or having been exposed to several potentially toxic chemicals at the same time.
The researchers write: “The time between exposure and onset of illness can be decades. If people knew about the effects of a chemical on them, they could have forgotten about it long ago. Work or act, which makes it difficult to assess.” potential clusters retrospectively.”
The new study’s team now calls for a complete ban on the use of TCE and its closely related perchlorethylene (PCE), as well as decontamination of areas where TCE exposure is known to have occurred in the past.
Additionally, the researchers would like a more detailed and comprehensive examination of the link between TCE and Parkinson’s disease. Given the increase in the number of cases of this disease, it can be assumed that something in modern life has made us more susceptible to Parkinson’s disease. This chemical may be part of the answer.
“Over the past 30 years, the number of people with Parkinson’s disease has more than doubled. If the situation does not change, the number will double again by 2040,” the researchers write, “and the increasing rate of development of the disease is very rapid, faster than previously thought.” .
Previously Focus He wrote about a cough medicine that turned out to be able to cure Parkinson’s disease. Studies show that the drug has the ability to penetrate the brain and destroy metabolites.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.