A major epidemiological study published in JAMA Neurology has found strong evidence that exposure to the industrial solvent trichloroethylene (TCE) significantly increases the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Researchers analyzed the health records of nearly 85,000 veterans who trained at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, between 1975 and 1985, during which the water was heavily contaminated with TCE. These veterans had a 70% higher risk of Parkinson’s compared to those stationed at Camp Pendleton, California.
The study also found higher rates of early Parkinson’s symptoms, such as loss of smell and erectile dysfunction, among the Camp Lejeune group. TCE, a volatile and widely used chemical, can enter the body through ingestion, skin contact, or inhalation. Animal studies have shown that it damages dopamine-producing neurons, mimicking Parkinson’s pathology.
This is the most robust evidence to date linking TCE to Parkinson’s, reinforcing concerns about environmental causes of the disease. The findings may influence ongoing lawsuits and regulatory actions, as well as future research into environmental triggers of neurodegeneration.