Parkinson’s disease risk linked to living near dry cleaners

Parkinson's disease dry cleaners trichloroethylene environmental exposure neurological disorder

A large-scale study published in the journal npj Parkinson's Disease has found a statistical link between living near dry cleaning businesses and an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Researchers analyzed Medicare data from over 19 million Americans aged 67 and older between 2016 and 2018, identifying approximately 180,000 Parkinson’s cases.

The research indicates that individuals living within 150 meters of a dry cleaner face a 14 percent higher risk of the disease compared to those living 6.4 to 8 kilometers away. This risk is notably higher for specific subtypes: the risk increases by 23 percent for patients experiencing gait and movement impairments, and by 25 percent for those with dementia-related Parkinson’s.

Scientists attribute this association to long-term exposure to chlorinated solvents, specifically trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE). These chemicals, historically used in dry cleaning, can persist in soil and groundwater or evaporate into the air, potentially entering residential areas through vapor intrusion or water supplies. Lead author Brad Racette of the Barrow Neurological Institute noted that identifying these environmental exposures is a critical step toward reducing the disease's societal burden.

Entities

Barrow Neurological Institute · Brad Racette · Medicare · Parkinson's disease · United States · npj Parkinson's Disease

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] Trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) are linked to the observed Parkinson’s risk. worldstockmarket.net · jurnalul.ro · www.mediafax.ro · www.vecernji.ba · www.index.hr · +1 more
[● 9 SOURCES] Living within 150 meters of a dry cleaner is associated with a 14 percent higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. offthepress.com · anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · worldstockmarket.net · jurnalul.ro · www.mediafax.ro · +4 more
[● 5 SOURCES] The study analyzed Medicare data from over 19 million people aged 67 and older between 2016 and 2018. anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · worldstockmarket.net · www.vecernji.ba · www.index.hr · www.yenisafak.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Identifying these environmental exposures is a key step toward reducing the burden of Parkinson’s disease. jurnalul.ro · www.mediafax.ro · www.vecernji.ba · www.index.hr
[● 7 SOURCES] The risk of Parkinson’s increases by 23 percent for cases involving gait impairment and movement issues for those living near dry cleaners. anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · worldstockmarket.net · jurnalul.ro · www.mediafax.ro · www.vecernji.ba · +2 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The risk of Parkinson’s increases by 25 percent for cases associated with dementia for those living near dry cleaners. anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · jurnalul.ro · www.mediafax.ro