Trichloroethylene is a chemical that has been used for more than 100 years. It has been used to clean metal and clothing, as well as in the production of decaffeinated coffee.
Although its use has declined, the substance is still present in the environment today, according to SciTechDaily.
This is because it has spread into soil, air, and groundwater. In some areas, contamination has traveled long distances and affected drinking water.
As a result, people may be exposed to the substance without being aware of it.
Also read: Common dietary compound may support cancer treatment
Hidden exposure
Trichloroethylene can enter buildings from contaminated soil. This occurs because the substance evaporates easily and moves upward into the air inside homes, schools, and offices.
This means it can be inhaled without direct contact.
A study from the United States, published in Movement Disorders, showed that a group of office workers had a higher incidence of illness than expected.
They worked near a former dry-cleaning facility where the soil was contaminated. This suggests that even ordinary workplaces may be affected.
Also read: A daily intake of multivitamins linked to changes in biological age
Disease may develop years after exposure
One of the main challenges is that diseases may develop many years after exposure. This makes it difficult to establish a clear cause-and-effect relationship.
At the same time, buildings are not routinely tested for the substance.
Trichloroethylene is associated with a significantly increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to the study published in Movement Disorders.
The risk may be up to five times higher, indicating a possible link between environmental exposure and the development of the disease.
Also read: How to manage your weight in your 50s
Sources: SciTechDaily and Movement Disorders.
Also read: Study points to new ways of understanding Alzheimer’s disease