Live near a dry cleaner? There's a risk of Parkinson's disease

A study involving 19 million Americans over 67 found a link between living near a dry cleaner and an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. Those living within 150 meters had a 14% higher risk. Scientists attribute this to the chemicals TCE and PCE.

A study published in the journal npj Parkinson's Disease found that living near a dry cleaner is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's disease. Researchers analyzed data from 180,982 people diagnosed with the disease and 18.8 million healthy individuals. Those living within 150 meters of a dry cleaner had a 14% higher risk compared to those living 6.4-8 kilometers away. The association was stronger in men. The strongest link was found in people with musculoskeletal problems (23% higher risk), dementia (25% higher risk), and balance disorders (19% higher risk). Scientists suspect the cause is the chemicals TCE (trichloroethylene) and PCE (perchloroethylene), which can persist in soil and groundwater for years. In 2024, the EPA banned TCE, and the use of PCE is planned to be phased out within 10 years. Dr. Sandra Benizri from Assuta notes that the data adds to knowledge about the impact of the environment on health. The study does not prove causation and does not indicate a danger from wearing clothes after dry cleaning.