Dry cleaned shirts (Photo – saintpeters)
A recent study from Keck Medicine of USC, published in Liver International, reveals a troubling connection between tetrachloroethylene (PCE), a chemical used in dry cleaning and household products, and liver fibrosis, a serious form of liver damage.
By News Desk
What Is PCE and Why It Matters
PCE is a colorless, synthetic chemical found in dry-cleaning solvents, arts and crafts adhesives, spot cleaners, and stainless steel polish. People are exposed to it mainly through air, especially from dry-cleaned clothes, and sometimes through contaminated drinking water. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies PCE as a probable carcinogen, linking it to bladder cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and liver damage.
The Liver Risk: What the Study Found
Researchers analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), focusing on Americans aged 20 and older between 2017 and 2020. About 7% had detectable levels of PCE in their blood. Those with higher concentrations were three times more likely to develop significant liver fibrosis, a buildup of scar tissue that can lead to liver cancer, liver failure, or death.
Even more striking: traditional risk factors like alcohol use, obesity, and diabetes didn’t explain the liver damage in these cases. According to lead author Dr. Brian P. Lee, “PCE exposure may be the reason why one person develops liver disease while another with the same health profile does not.”
Who’s Most At Risk?
The study found that people from higher-income households were more likely to have detectable PCE levels, possibly due to greater use of dry-cleaning services. Workers in dry-cleaning facilities also face elevated risks due to prolonged exposure.
What’s Next?
Dr. Lee urges more research into environmental toxins like PCE that may contribute to liver disease. He hopes these findings will lead to better screening and earlier diagnosis, especially for patients without traditional risk factors.
Conclusion
This study adds a new dimension to liver disease research, showing that environmental exposure, not just lifestyle or genetics, can play a critical role. Although PCE is being phased out in the U.S., its presence in consumer products and workplaces remains a concern for public health and liver safety.
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