Chemicals in stain removers, paint removers linked to Parkinson's disease in new study
CTV
A new study shows being exposed to a chemical found in paint removers, stain removers and wood finishes could increase a person’s likelihood of developing Parkinson's disease.
Being exposed to a chemical found in both industrial and consumer products may increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, a new study shows.
U.S. researchers have linked a likelihood of developing Parkinson’s to trichloroethylene (TCE), a chemical used to degrease metal that is found in wood finishes, adhesives, paint removers and stain removers.
The study published May 15 in the medical journal JAMA Neurology shows those exposed to TCE through water had a 70 per cent higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease.
The neurological condition is characterized as a movement disorder, which can be seen in the slowness of walking, talking, rigidity and postural instability. There is no cure for Parkinson's but treatment and therapies can relieve some symptoms.
The study used a cohort of 340,489 military personnel in the U.S. who were stationed between 1975 and 1985 for at least three months. Just under half (158,122) had health data available.
From there researchers determined where people were stationed and if they developed Parkinson’s through a follow-up done between January 1997 and February 2021.
According to the study, a total of 430 veterans had Parkinson’s, of which 279 were stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and 151 from Camp Pendleton in California.
