Chemicals in Household Products Linked to Liver Damage
A recent study from Keck Medicine at the University of Southern California reveals that chemicals commonly found in dry cleaning fluids and household items significantly increase the risk of severe liver damage.
The study identifies tetrachlorethylene, or PCE, a chemical used in items like craft adhesives, stain removers, and stainless steel polishes. Published in Liver International, the findings indicate that individuals exposed to PCE are at three times greater risk of developing severe liver fibrosis compared to those who are not exposed.
Liver fibrosis is characterized by the accumulation of harmful scar tissue and can lead to more serious health issues, including liver cancer and failure.
Dr. Brian P. Lee, a hepatologist who led the study, noted that “this research is the first to examine the relationship between PCE levels and significant liver fibrosis in humans, emphasizing the importance of lesser-known environmental factors in liver health.”
In examining data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which was conducted from 2017 to 2020, researchers found that approximately 7% of the U.S. population has detectable PCE in their bloodstream.
The study also indicated that higher levels of PCE correlate with worse liver damage; specifically, for each 1 nanogram per milliliter increase in blood PCE concentration, the likelihood of experiencing significant liver fibrosis rises fivefold.
PCE exposure can occur through inhalation from dry-cleaned clothing or ingestion from contaminated water. The International Agency for Research on Cancer categorizes PCE as a potential carcinogen linked to bladder cancer and lymphoma.
Despite efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to phase out PCE in dry cleaning within the next decade, the chemical remains in use in other contexts.
Dr. Lee added, “Patients often wonder how they can develop liver disease without drinking alcohol or having other common risk factors. The exposure to PCE could be the answer.”
