Older adults near dry cleaners face 14% higher Parkinson's risk
A new study says living within 500 feet of a dry cleaner could raise the risk of Parkinson's disease by 14% for older adults.
Researchers found that people aged 67 and older who lived close by were more likely to develop the disease than those farther away, with one subtype affecting movement and balance showing a 23% higher risk.
Trichloroethylene a potentially remediable risk factor
The culprit is Trichloroethylene (TCE), a chemical used in dry cleaning that has widespread environmental persistence.
Not only is TCE tough on the environment, but it's also known to damage nerve cells, which may explain the higher rates of Parkinson's near some dry cleaners, especially in areas like Southern Illinois and Central Pennsylvania.
TCE represents a potentially remediable risk factor for Parkinson's disease.