Report links industrial cleaner to increased risk of Parkinson's disease

A chemical widely used to clean metal such as auto parts may place workers at a significantly higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease.

Researchers from the Parkinson's Institute in Sunnyvale, Calif., are expected to present their findings at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting in April. Samuel Goldman, author of the study, said this is the first research that has confirmed the risk of employee exposure to tricholorethylene. This chemical is a popular industrial solvent that is still widely used to clean grease off metal parts.

The study found workers who were exposed to tricholorethylene were five and a half times more likely to have Parkinson's disease than people not exposed to the chemical. Those who were exposed to the chemical had job histories including work as dry cleaners, machinists, mechanics or electricians.

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April 8, 2010

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