A new study has found compelling evidence that a common chemical called trichloroethylene (TCE)—used in industries and found in the environment—may significantly increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, a progressive brain disorder that affects movement, balance, and speech.
What Is TCE and Where Is It Found?
TCE is a colorless liquid used for cleaning metal parts, making refrigerants, and even used in dry cleaning in the past. It’s also found in some foods, household dust, breast milk, and even drinking water. Because it lingers in the environment—especially in soil and groundwater—it can pose long-term health risks.
Even though its industrial use has declined, TCE is still present in up to one-third of U.S. drinking water and is considered a "forever chemical" because it doesn’t break down easily.
The Link Between TCE and Parkinson’s Disease
In this large study, researchers from the University of California, San Francisco analyzed health records of nearly 85,000 Marine Corps and Navy veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between 1975 and 1985. During that time, the water on the base was heavily contaminated with TCE—levels were more than 70 times higher than what’s allowed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The findings were alarming:
- Veterans exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune had a 70% higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease compared to veterans from Camp Pendleton, a similar base in California with clean water.
- The Camp Lejeune group also showed early warning signs of Parkinson’s, such as loss of smell and erectile dysfunction, even decades before diagnosis.
How TCE Affects the Brain
In both animals and humans, TCE has been shown to damage a specific part of the brain responsible for movement control. It disrupts how cells produce energy, killing the same types of brain cells that are affected in people with Parkinson’s. Other chemicals, like certain pesticides, are also known to cause similar damage.
Why This Study Matters
This is the strongest evidence yet linking an environmental chemical to Parkinson’s disease. Until now, studies had only included a handful of people exposed to TCE. This research included tens of thousands of veterans and tracked their health over decades.
Experts say it confirms what many have suspected: environmental exposures—not just genetics—play a major role in the rise of neurodegenerative diseases.
What’s Being Done?
In January 2023, the EPA declared that TCE poses an “unreasonable risk to human health” and is planning to regulate its use more strictly. However, that won’t remove what’s already in the environment. Since TCE vapor can seep into homes and buildings through the ground, many exposure risks remain hidden and hard to track.
This research could also influence ongoing lawsuits. Last year, Congress allowed Camp Lejeune veterans to sue the government for health problems caused by the contaminated water. This new study adds weight to their cases.
Final Thoughts
Parkinson’s disease affects about 1 million Americans, and cases are rising fast around the world. This study is a wake-up call. It shows how chemicals left in our environment decades ago can still have serious effects today.
More research is needed, but one thing is clear: where we live and what we’re exposed to matters—especially when it comes to our health.
Source:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/fullarticle/2805037?gues…
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18157908/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3366287/
https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/risk-ev…
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