Chemical in Dry Cleaning Triples Risk of Severe Liver Damage
Exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PCE), a chemical used in dry cleaning and industrial processes, triples the risk of significant liver fibrosis, a precursor to liver cancer and failure. A 2024 study analyzing over 1,600 US adults found a strong dose-response effect, with increased PCE levels significantly raising liver damage risk. The EPA has initiated a decade-long phaseout of PCE due to these health concerns.
A 2024 study published in Liver International revealed that tetrachloroethylene (PCE), a chemical widely used in dry cleaning and industrial applications, significantly elevates the risk of severe liver fibrosis by three times in exposed individuals. The research analyzed blood PCE levels and liver health data from 1,614 American adults, finding that 7% had detectable PCE, and those exposed showed a fivefold increase in liver scarring risk per nanogram increase in blood concentration. This scarring results from PCE metabolic byproducts damaging liver cell membranes, triggering inflammation and fibrosis, which can lead to liver cancer, failure, or death. Notably, traditional liver disease risk factors like alcohol or obesity did not explain fibrosis presence when PCE was detected, highlighting environmental exposure as a critical factor. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies PCE as a probable carcinogen linked to various cancers. In response, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initiated a 10-year phaseout and regulations to eliminate consumer and commercial PCE uses by mid-2027. The study underscores the urgent need for stronger regulatory oversight and increased public and medical awareness to prevent liver disease linked to industrial toxins, emphasizing the ongoing public health threat posed by persistent environmental contaminants.
