Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) Overview
Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) [Cl2C=CCl2] is a chemical widely used in the dry cleaning of clothes and fabrics and in metal degreasing. It is also a prevalent drinking water contaminant.
Contamination and Exposure
In 1980, New England government officials discovered that PCE was leaching into public drinking water supplies from the inner vinyl lining of asbestos cement water distribution pipes. A study conducted on Cape Cod involved 1,658 children whose mothers were exposed to PCE-contaminated drinking water and a comparable group of 2,999 children of unexposed mothers. The results suggest that exposure to PCE around the time of conception increased the risk of certain congenital anomalies among the offspring of exposed women, including:
→ Gastrointestinal defects: Particularly oral clefts, with a 2.2 - 3.5 fold increase in risk.
→ Neural tube defects: Particularly anencephaly, with a 2.5 fold increase in risk.
→ Cardiac anomalies: Modest increases, with a risk three times higher.
Furthermore, analysis of females from the Cape Cod study showed an increased risk of breast cancer after high exposure to PCE. Because PCE is lipid-soluble and women typically have a higher proportion of body fat than men, it is anticipated that women would retain PCE longer. A study by the EPA found that developmental exposure to PCE is common; 100% of samples of breast milk from four U.S. urban areas contained detectable levels of PCE.
Health Effects of Tetrachloroethylene
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Immunotoxicity: Chronic exposure to PCE, both environmental and occupational, can lead to the development of autoimmunity. This includes conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, diabetes, and hepatitis.
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Acute Exposure: Effects of acute inhalation exposure to PCE in humans include:
- Irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes.
- Kidney dysfunction.
- Neurological effects such as reversible mood and behavioral changes, impairment of coordination, dizziness, headache, sleepiness, and unconsciousness.
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Chronic Exposure: Primary effects from chronic inhalation exposure are neurological, including:
- Impaired cognitive and motor neurobehavioral performance.
- Visual deficits, including deficits in color vision.
- The three primary neurological effects most consistently associated with subchronic or chronic PCE exposure in human studies are vision, visuospatial memory, and neuropsychological function (e.g., reaction time).
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Other Health Effects: PCE exposure may cause adverse effects on the kidney, liver, immune system, hematologic system, development, and reproduction. It is also considered a carcinogen.
Immune Response and Chemical Intolerance
The detection of antibodies to tetrachloroethylene bound to human protein in serum indicates a breakdown in immunological tolerance and induction of chemical intolerance. Tetrachloroethylene or its metabolites can bind to human tissue proteins and form neo-antigens. These neo-antigens consist of the haptenic chemical plus the tissue antigen, initiating an immune response that may result in antibody production against both the chemical and the human tissue. Continued exposure to the chemical, along with the subsequent production of antibodies against various tissue antigens, may result in autoimmune reactivity. Individuals with antibodies to tetrachloroethylene bound to human protein in serum should avoid exposure to the substance and ensure that their home and work environments are free from contamination.
Common Sources of Tetrachloroethylene
- Spot removers
- Leather products
- Paint removers
- Adhesives
- Water repellents
- Paper coatings
- Dry-cleaned clothes
- Chlorinated water
Tetrachloroethylene IgM
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