Parkinson’s disease is a serious illness that affects how people move. It can cause shaking, stiff muscles, slow movement, and trouble with balance.
As the disease gets worse over time, people may also have trouble speaking, writing, sleeping, or even smelling things. Some feel very sad or tired. There is no cure, but doctors can help manage the symptoms with medicine and physical therapy.
Scientists have been working for many years to find out what causes Parkinson’s disease. They believe it happens because of a mix of genes we inherit from our parents and things we are exposed to in the environment.
Getting older, having a family history of Parkinson’s, being near harmful chemicals, or having serious head injuries can all raise the risk.
Now, researchers are paying close attention to a chemical called trichloroethylene, or TCE. This chemical has been used for many years in factories. It helps clean metal parts, remove caffeine from coffee, and dry clean clothes. But while TCE has been helpful in industry, it may not be safe for our health.
TCE has been around for decades, and people first suspected it could be linked to Parkinson’s disease as far back as 1969. Today, new studies suggest that people who are exposed to a lot of TCE may be five times more likely to develop Parkinson’s than those who aren’t.
This chemical is not only found in factories. It can leak into underground water, rise into the air, and enter buildings through the soil. That means TCE might be in homes, offices, and schools—sometimes without anyone realizing it.
Despite being so common, TCE hasn’t been studied enough. That’s why researchers from the University of Rochester and other institutions have reviewed past studies and looked closely at several real-life cases.
They focused on seven people who had been exposed to TCE and later developed Parkinson’s disease. Their findings suggest that TCE may be playing a big role in the rising number of cases of this illness.
Understanding this connection is important because it means some cases of Parkinson’s might be prevented by reducing exposure to TCE. While scientists still need more research to be completely sure, it’s a warning sign we should not ignore.
For now, Parkinson’s treatments mainly help with symptoms. People are often given medicines to boost dopamine, a chemical in the brain that helps control movement. Physical therapy and regular exercise are also important. They help keep the body working better for longer.
Living a healthy lifestyle can make a big difference. That includes eating well, staying active, avoiding harmful chemicals like TCE, and getting support from others. Talking with doctors, counselors, or support groups can help people and families manage the emotional side of the disease too.
The latest research, led by Dorsey Ray and published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, adds to our growing understanding of how environmental toxins like TCE might contribute to Parkinson’s.
This work highlights why it’s so important to keep studying how everyday chemicals affect our health—and to take steps to make our environment safer for everyone.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies about Parkinson’s gene variant is found predominantly in people of African ancestry and research shows a dangerous cause of Parkinson’s disease.
If you care about Parkinson’s disease, please read studies that exercise hormone may help stop Parkinson’s symptoms and scientists make new breakthrough in Parkinson’s disease treatment.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
