A chemical called trichlorethylene has been found to cause Parkinson’s disease

In 2017, the smell that spread through the districts of Station, Yayla, Evliya Celebi and the Post Office in the Tuzla district of Istanbul burned the noses of residents, and there was a serious panic in the region. Later investigations revealed that a chemical called trichlorethylene had been illegally dumped by industries into a wastewater sewer in the region. A recent study of the chemical showed that trichlorethylene is one of the most important causes of Parkinson’s disease. Let’s look at the details together.

Trichlorethylene is a chemical used in many products, including decaffeinated coffee and correction fluid.

However, because it is not flammable, it is widely used in paints and metal seconds. However, the use of this chemical is much lower today than in the past.

Because studies show that a substance called trichlorethylene has a low risk of developing cancer. However, a recent study showed that this chemical is one of the important causes of Parkinson’s disease. Or rather, reminded me.

Parkinson’s disease is a slowly progressive movement disorder that is more common in men and is characterized by the loss of brain cells.

Parkinson’s disease, which manifests itself as a neurodegenerative disease; It is characterized by such symptoms as decreased facial expressions, monotony and distortion of speech, a slight tilt of the torso, slowing of movements, tremors and pain in the hands. The condition, which is mostly seen in men between the ages of 40 and 70, can lead to a person becoming dependent on a bed or wheelchair in later stages.

The association of trichlorethylene with Parkinson’s disease is not new.

In 1969, some scientists signed a scientific study that showed that this colorless chemical may be associated with Parkinson’s disease. Today, however, scientists studying the relationship between trichlorethylene and Parkinson’s disease say the link between the chemical and the disease has long been ignored or even forgotten.

A new study shows that many Parkinson’s patients may have been exposed to a chemical called trichlorethylene in the past.

The researchers, who published their findings in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, stated:The time between exposure to a chemical and the onset of illness can be decades. Even if people are aware that they have been exposed to a chemical, they have already forgotten about it.” he uses.

It is known that the peak of the use of trichlorethylene in the world fell on the 1970s. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 10 million people were exposed to the chemical on a daily basis during this period.

However, the use of this chemical is currently severely limited. However, the chemical has not been completely phased out. For example, it is known that in 2020 the United States exports trichlorethylene worth $20.2 million. In the same year, China exported 15 million and Japan 7.94 million. However, it is indicated that in 2020 Turkey purchased trichlorethylene in the amount of $2.16 million.

Trichlorethylene came to the fore in 2017 due to a leak in Tuzla, Istanbul.

The smell that spread through the quarters of Station, Yayla, Evliya Chelebi and the Post Office caused a serious panic among the residents of the area, causing a sore throat. Subsequent investigations determined that the leak was caused by tetrachlorethylene and trichlorethylene materials, which are used in the same industries and for basically the same purposes.

The relevant chemicals were found to have been illegally dumped into the wastewater sewer in the region by various industrial facilities, and 4 trucks dumping the chemicals were caught.

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