This week a hypothesis article was published in the Journal of Parkinson’s proposing a chemical used in dry cleaning could potentially have an association with increased risk of developing Parkinson’s. 

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a colourless solvent that has been used for a variety of purposes since the 1920s including degreasing metals, certain cleaning products, glues and dry cleaning. TCE can be found in groundwater around contamination sites and may be found in air spaces as well. 

Currently, there are a limited number of studies in animals and humans suggesting a relationship between TCE and Parkinson’s. However, the authors propose TCE should be a chemical of priority due to its possibility for widespread exposure and the paper calls for further research to better assess the relationship between TCE and Parkinson’s. 

The Parkinson Canada Research Program continues to support discoveries in many areas of Parkinson’s, including understanding the causes of the disease. We will continue to monitor further research on TCE and provide updates to the community as they become available.