How To Avoid Trichloroethylene
Trichloroethylene, or TCE, for short is a commonly used household and industrial chemical that poses a great risk to human health.
Exposure to TCE, which is more common than you may think, has been linked to developmental problems, Parkinson’s disease and cancer.
Negative effects of TCE have been known for decades, yet TCE remains largely available and used in the United States.
In today’s article, you’ll learn more about:
- What TCE is and where it is found,
- The negative health effects of TCE,
- The process of TCE detoxification
- And how to protect yourself and your loved ones
This is yet another topic where knowledge becomes power.
When we know more about these chemicals and how they influence our bodies and the environment, we decrease personal exposures and advocate for larger change.
What Is TCE?
Trichloroethylene, or TCE for short, is an industrial chemical solvent commonly found in:
- Dry cleaning chemicals
- Industrial cleaning products
- Shoe polish
- Carpet cleaners
- Degreasing agents
- The production of other chemicals
In 2012, tetrachloroethylene, or PERC, which is similar to TCE and simply contains an extra chloride ion, was listed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a likely carcinogen. In the environment, tetrachloroethylene breaks down into TCE and vinyl chloride.
Based on the decades of science linking TCE to negative health outcomes, the EPA proposed restrictions related to TCE’s use in various products. These restrictions were rolled back in January of 2021.
The European Union already bans TCE. In 2020, Minnesota and New York became the first states to ban TCE, but federal legislation still lacks. The EPA estimates 250 million pounds of TCE are released into the environment each year.
In addition to the exposure from direct contact with TCE in the home or in the workplace, TCE is found in drinking water.
It is estimated to be in 30 percent of US groundwater, although this might be an underestimate due to a lack of testing. TCE is also a contaminant often found in Superfund sites, increasing the risk for those living near these areas.
TCE enters the body through drinking contaminated water, but also absorbs through the skin from contact and is breathed in as vapor, entering the body through the lungs.
Health Consequences Of TCE Exposure
When looking for research on the health effects of TCE, peer-reviewed articles date back to the 1970s. We now have more epidemiologic and direct data linking TCE exposure to a host of medical conditions.
TCE is known to cause harm to the immune system, affect fetal development, and is a carcinogen.
Let’s take a closer look.
Parkinson’s Disease
TCE toxicity affects the central nervous system and mitochondria. It is known as a risk factor for Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s is currently the fastest growing neurological disorder; rates have increased by 35 percent in the last 10 years. Many Parkinson’s cases are linked to chronic workplace exposures.
Allopathic medicine finds many cases of Parkinson’s disease to be considered idiopathic, meaning they lack a clear cause.
However, in Functional Medicine, we are always looking for root causes and cannot overlook the role that toxins, including TCE, play in the development of disease.
It may take years, and even decades, after exposure to TCE for disease to develop. Parkinson’s disease may be diagnosed up to 40 years later.
Cancer
Along with the brain and mitochondria in cells, TCE affects certain organs including the heart, liver, and kidneys.
TCE is a carcinogen and has been linked to:
- Renal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Biliary cancer
- Lymphomas
- Cervical cancer
Fetal Development
According to the Centers for Disease Control, developing babies are most at risk for TCE exposure. The levels of TCE that the baby is exposed to is the same as the amount in the mother’s bloodstream.
TCE specifically seems to affect the development of the heart, which happens quite early in pregnancy, around weeks two through eight.
This includes the time before a woman may even know she is pregnant making it an important chemical to avoid at all times.
It’s important to note that not all TCE exposures will lead to birth defects, but it does increase risk to a degree.
TCE Detoxification
We know that TCE is detoxified and transformed through two pathways in the liver, known as Phase 1 and Phase 2. Understanding this process informs us about how to support its specific detoxification from the body.
TCE is detoxified through cytochrome P450 enzymes associated with Phase 1 liver detoxification.
In Phase 2 of liver detoxification, the remaining TCE metabolites are conjugated (linked) with glutathione, an important antioxidant in the body.
Both the intermediate metabolites and final products of this process remain toxic to the body and may cause harm until they are excreted.
How To Protect Yourself From TCE
Here are some top suggestions for reducing TCE exposures and supporting your body’s detoxification process.
1. Avoid TCE contact. Choose non-toxic products for your household and read labels to ensure you aren’t using products containing TCE and related toxins. Rethink dry cleaning or use non-toxic dry cleaning options.
Reconsider jobs that require exposure to TCE and related chemicals or work to find eco-friendly alternatives.
2. Test your water. If your water supply is public, the water district is required to test for TCE in order to make sure levels are below EPA standards. These test results are accessible to the public. For private water supplies, consider testing. Here is more information from the CDC.
3. Test your indoor air. Testing is also available to identify indoor air pollutants, including TCE. Here is more information from the CDC.
4. Use air and water filters. Even if TCE testing reveals no exposure or low exposure to TCE, other toxins find their way into water and indoor air. When considering filters, you can find my favorite recommendations here. You may also want to consider a filter for shower or bath water, in addition to drinking water, since TCE and other chlorinated chemicals absorb through the skin or are inhaled from the vapor of hot water. A charcoal filter is sufficient for this use.
5. Know where Superfund sites are. When considering a move or deciding where to make a long-term home, consider proximity to superfund sites. This EPA resource is helpful for searching Superfund sites by state.
6. Demand a federal TCE ban. Unfortunately, many health issues are also political ones. Elect leaders who care about a clean environment for all and reach out to your current representatives with concern.
7. Consider medical testing. Many toxins can be tested for through blood or urine tests available through your Functional Medicine provider. LabCorp or Quest have blood tests (Tetrachloroethylene, Occupational Exposure, Whole Blood, or Trichloroacetic Acid, Urine test).
8. Support detoxification. It’s always a good idea to support the body’s inherent detoxification systems and make sure that you are hydrated, have regular bowel movements and sweat regularly. To support liver detoxification specifically around TCE consider Phase 1 support such as milk thistle, vitamin C, sulforaphane, and increasing cruciferous vegetables. For Phase 2 support, consider a liposomal glutathione supplement.
Every Life Well Liver Detox Protect contains milk thistle, selenium, alpha lipoic acid and the glutathione precursor NAC for overall liver support.
TCE may be a little-known chemical, but it carries significant risk for those who are exposed to it, often unknowingly.
Remember that knowledge brings the power to transform your life and your health!
Some small steps taken in daily life lead to big changes in the amount of chemicals and toxins you and your family are exposed to.
While we can’t avoid everything, we owe it to ourselves to avoid what is in our control.
Prevention is truly the best medicine. Here’s to a long and healthy life!
References:
- Environmental Working Group. (2012). EPA Lists Dry Cleaning Chemical Likely Carcinogen.
- Matei, A. (2021). Rates of Parkinson’s disease are exploding, A common chemical may be to blame. The Guardian.
- Goldman, S. M., Quinlan, P. J., Ross, G. W., Marras, C., Meng, C., Bhudhikanok, G. S., Comyns, K., Korell, M., Chade, A. R., Kasten, M., Priestley, B., Chou, K. L., Fernandez, H. H., Cambi, F., Langston, J. W., & Tanner, C. M. (2012). Solvent exposures and Parkinson disease risk in twins. Annals of neurology, 71(6), 776–784.
- Gash, D. M., Rutland, K., Hudson, N. L., Sullivan, P. G., Bing, G., Cass, W. A., Pandya, J. D., Liu, M., Choi, D. Y., Hunter, R. L., Gerhardt, G. A., Smith, C. D., Slevin, J. T., & Prince, T. S. (2008). Trichloroethylene: Parkinsonism and complex 1 mitochondrial neurotoxicity. Annals of neurology, 63(2), 184–192.
- Scott, C. S., & Jinot, J. (2011). Trichloroethylene and cancer: systematic and quantitative review of epidemiologic evidence for identifying hazards. International journal of environmental research and public health, 8(11), 4238–4272.
- Centers for Disease Control, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2021). Who is most sensitive to TCE?
- Lash, L. H., Fisher, J. W., Lipscomb, J. C., & Parker, J. C. (2000). Metabolism of trichloroethylene. Environmental health perspectives, 108 Suppl 2(Suppl 2), 177–200.
- Perry, Amie et al. “Long-Term Combinatorial Exposure to Trichloroethylene and Inorganic Arsenic in Genetically Heterogeneous Mice Results in Renal Tubular Damage and Cancer-Associated Molecular Changes.” G3 (Bethesda, Md.) vol. 9,5 1729-1737. 7 May. 2019, doi:10.1534/g3.119.400161
- The National Cancer Institute: Trichloroethylene (TCE) – Cancer.gov.
