Industrial Chemical TCE Linked to Rising Parkinson’s Risk, Experts Warn
Updated
Updated · tovima.com · Apr 18
Industrial Chemical TCE Linked to Rising Parkinson’s Risk, Experts Warn
3 articles · Updated · tovima.com · Apr 18
Scientists warn that the industrial chemical trichloroethylene (TCE) may be linked to a significant increase in Parkinson’s disease cases.
TCE, used in metal degreasing and dry cleaning, has contaminated water, air, and soil, exposing people through groundwater and vapor intrusion.
Research shows TCE exposure can raise Parkinson’s risk up to fivefold, prompting calls for stricter regulation and improved environmental monitoring.
With chemical safety laws under review, are we prepared for the next TCE?
What critical industries can still use the neurotoxin TCE under new EPA rules?
How can you uncover the toxic chemical legacy buried beneath your community?
Is a common chemical in your water causing Parkinson's disease?
Is Parkinson's not a disease of aging, but a preventable environmental illness?
How the 2024 TCE Ban Advances Parkinson’s Prevention Despite Legacy Pollution at 1,051 Superfund Sites
Overview
In December 2024, the EPA announced a near-complete ban on the industrial solvent trichloroethylene (TCE), driven by strong scientific evidence linking TCE exposure to increased risks of Parkinson’s disease and other health issues. This milestone was enabled by the 2016 TSCA amendments and nearly a decade of advocacy and research led by organizations like the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Despite the ban, TCE’s environmental persistence and widespread contamination at Superfund sites mean ongoing risks remain, requiring cleanup and protective measures. The success of the TCE ban has inspired intensified efforts to eliminate paraquat, another toxin strongly linked to Parkinson’s, which is still legally used in U.S. agriculture.