Solvent linked to rise in Parkinson’s

AN industrial chemical once widely used in dry-cleaning solutions, paints and adhesives has been linked to a six-fold increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.

Scientists made the connection after analysing data on 99 sets of twins. One twin in each pair had Parkinson’s and the other did not.

The US researchers studied information about the twins’ lifetime exposures to six solvents previously associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in the medical literature. A significant link was found with one, trichloroethylene (TCE). Exposure to the chemical produced a more than six-fold increased likelihood of developing Parkinson’s.

Dr Samuel Goldman, from the Parkinson’s Institute in Sunnyvale, California, said: “Our study confirms that common environmental contaminants may increase the risk of developing PD, which has considerable public health implications.”

The findings were reported yesterday in the journal Annals of Neurology.

TCE is now largely banned around the world but continues to be used as a degreasing agent. The chemical is known to contaminate soil, groundwater and air.

In the US, millions of pounds of TCE are still released into the environment each year.

Symptoms of Parkinson’s may occur up to 40 years after exposure to TCE, said the scientists.

Dr Michelle Gardner, research development manager at the charity Parkinson’s UK, said: “We still don’t know exactly what causes Parkinson’s.

“It’s most likely to be a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. We already know that exposure to some chemicals, including certain pesticides, can slightly increase the risk of Parkinson’s.

“It is the first study to show that the solvent TCE may be associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s.”