Lead author of the study Dr. Samuel Goldman, of the Parkinson's Institute in Sunnyvale, Calif., stated, “This is the first time a population-based study has confirmed case reports that exposure to TCE may increase a person’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
"TCE was once a popular industrial solvent used in dry cleaning and to clean grease off metal parts, but due to other health concerns the chemical is no longer widely used."
Exposure to industrial chemical assessed
In an effort to determine whether TCE stimulates Parkinson’s among industrial workers, the researchers analyzed the job histories of 99 pairs of twins in which only one suffered from the neurological disorder.
According to Goldman, the study used twins because they are genetically identical and ideal for evaluating environmental risk factors.
The job of each participant was reviewed by an industrial hygienist and a preventive medicine physician to assess the effects of exposure to TCE and four other industrial chemicals.
Findings of the study
The researchers noted that as a single source of exposure, only TCE was implicated as a risk with development of Parkinson's disease.
The study found that twins working as dry cleaners, machinists, mechanics and electricians exposed to TCE at their workplace were five-and-a-half times more likely to have Parkinson's disease.
In conclusion Dr. Goldman stated, “Part of the problem is that the usage of the substances overlaps quite a bit. Nonetheless, the very high odds ratio for TCE is impressive, and certainly mandates that large population-based studies follow this up.”
The study was sponsored by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, The Valley Foundation and the James and Sharron Clark Family Fund.
The findings will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting in Toronto in April.
Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative movement disorder of the central nervous system caused by the death of cells in the brain that secrete the neurotransmitter dopamine.
It is characterized by tremors, rigidity, slow movement, poor balance, and difficulty in walking. Signs of the disease first tend to appear in patients over 50. The disease is chronic and progressive with symptoms growing steadily worse over time.
According to the National Parkinson Foundation, the disorder affects nearly 60,000 Americans each year.
Post new comment