Frasertech News

An international study has linked an industrial solvent to Parkinson's disease.

Researchers found a six fold increase in the risk of developing Parkinson's in individules exposed in the workplace to trichloroethylene (TCE). 

Although many uses for TCE have been banned around the world, the chemical is still used as a degreasing agent.

The research was based on analysis of 99 pairs of twins selected from US data records. 

Parkinson's can result in limb tremors, slowed movement and speech impairment, but the exact cause of the disease is still unknown, and there is no cure. 

Research to date suggests a mix of genetic and environmental factors may be responsible. A link has previously been made with pesticide use. 

'Significant association'

The researchers from institutes in the US, Canada, Germany and Argentina, wanted to examine the impact of solvent exposure - specifically six solvents including TCE.

They looked at 99 sets of twins, one with Parkinson's, the other without

Bacause twins are genetically very similar or identical and often share certain lifestyle characteristics, twins were thought to provide a better control group, reducing the likelihood of spurious results. 

The twins were interviewed to build up a work history and calculate likely exposure to solvents. They were also asked about hobbies. 

The findings are presented as the first study to report a "significant association" between TCE exposure and Parkinson's and suggest exposure to the solvent was likely to result in a six-fold increase on the chances of developing the disease. 

The study also adjudged exposure to two other solvents, perchloroethylene (PERC) and carbon tetrachloride (CCI4), "tended towards significant risk in developing the disease".

No statistical link was found with the other three solvents examined in the study - toluene, xylene and n-hexane. 

"Our study confirms that common environmental contaminants may increase the risk of developing Parkinson's, which has considerable public health implications", said Dr Samuel Goldman of The Parkinson's Institute in Sunnyvale, California, who led the study published in the journal Annals of Neurology.

He added: "Our findings, as well as prior case reports, suggest a lag time of up to 40 years between TCE exposure and onset of Parkinson's, providing a critical window of opportunity to potentially slow the disease before clinical symptoms appear". 

Water contaminant

TCE has been used in paints, glue, carpet cleaners, dry-cleaning solutions and as a degreaser. It has been banned in the food and pharmaceutical industries in most regions of the world since the 1970s, due to concerns over its toxicity. 

In 1997, the US authorities banned its use as an anaesthetic, skin disinfectant, grain fumigant and coffee decaffeinating agent, but it is still used as a degreasing agent for metal parts.

Groundwater contamination by TCE is widespread, with studies estimating up to 30% of US drinking water supplies are contaminated with TCE. In Europe, it was reclassified in 2001 as "category 2" carcinogen, although it is still used in industrial applications. 

PERC, like TCE, is used as a dry-cleaning and degreasing agent, and is found in many household products. CCI4's major historical use was in the manufacture of chlorofluorocarbons for use as refrigerants, but it has also been used as a fumigant to kill insects and grain.

Commenting on the paper, Dr Michelle Gardner, Research Development Manager at Parkinson's UK, said: "This is the first study to show that the solvent TCE may be associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson's. 

"It is important to highlight that many of the previous uses of this solvent have been discontinued for safety reasons over 30 years ago and that safety and protection at work places where strong chemicals such as this solvent are used has greatly improved in recent years". 

She has also called for more research to confirm the link between TCE and other solvents with Parkinson's.

"Further larger-scale studies on populations with more defined exposures are needed to confirm the link," she said.

Copyright bbc.co.uk 2011

Fraser Technologies are pleased to announce that we will be exhibiting at the Aero Engineering 2011 Exhibition. The event takes place on the 9th / 10th of November at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, Hall 20.

Please come and visit us on stand 510.

Details of the event can be found below. Alternatively log on to the website which can be found here.

Fraser Technologies are pleased to announce that we will be exhibiting at the SMART Group Conference. SMART Group is one of the largest trade associations in the industry, actively involved with the electronic design and assembly issues encountered by members and non-members.

The SMART Group Conference and Table Top Exhibition will be held at The Oxfordshire Golf Club in Thame, Oxfordshire on the 5th and 6th of October 2011. Topics include:

• Industry trends on area array packing
• Design reliability of BGA and uBGA devices
• Soldering and joint reliability or lead free and mixed alloys
• Aqueous , semi-aqueous or solvent choices
• Coating under BGA, is it a concern?
• No clean or clean - which is reliable?
• Tin whiskers and benefits from coating assemblies

Dr. Mike Bixenman, co-founder of the Kyzen Corporation, will also be discussing the IPC-CH-65B handbook. Mike has over 35 years experience in the precision cleaning field.

For more information please click here.

We look forward to meeting you at the event. Please contact us if you would like further information.

Fraser Technologies was named 'Best Distributor of the Year' at Kyzen's first European Distributor training held at it's European location in Belgium. Distributors from seventeen countires gathered together for the two day event to interact with each other during a combination of informative sessions and hands on activities in their well equipped applications laboratory.

Graham Fraser, Managing Director of Fraser Technologies, proudly accepted the award given by Kyzen Eurpean Sales Manager, Fernando Rueda. When asked why Fraser was chosen for this award, his response was the follwing. 'In addition to the best sales numbers, their perseverance, excellent attitude and dedication made Fraser Technologies the number one candidate for the Distributor of the Year Award'.

At the recent Dupont European supplier conference held in France at the end of March Graham Fraser, owner and MD of Fraser Cleaning Technologies received the award for 2010 VERTEL OUTSTANDING DISTRIBUTOR AWARD.