Researchers from America, Canada, Germany and Argentina have discovered a link between an industrial solvent and Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson’s disease is thought to be caused by a mix of genetic and environmental factors and there is currently no cure. Pesticide use has previously been linked to the disease, but the recent study found a link to an industrial solvent called trichloroethylene (TCE).
TCE is often used as a degreasing agent for metal parts and has been used in paints, glue, carpet cleaners and dry cleaning. Concerns over it’s toxicity led to a ban on its use in the food and pharmaceutical industry in the 1970s.
The researchers interviewed 99 pairs of twins where one had developed Parkinson’s disease and the other hadn’t. They were able to build up a work history of each individual and and calculate their potential exposure to the solvent.
The report suggested that exposure to TCE increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease by a factor of six.
The research also found a similar link between two other solvents, perchloroethylene (PERC) and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and Parkinson’s.
Dr Samuel Goldman from The Parkinson’s Institute in California, said: “Our findings, as well as prior case reports, suggest a lag time of up to 40 years between TCE exposure and onset of Parkinson’s, providing a critical window of opportunity to potentially slow the disease before clinical symptoms appear.”
Other experts are calling for further research into the link between solvents and Parkinson’s disease.
