Trichloroethylene: An Update on an Environmental Contaminant with Multiple Health Effects.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Toxicology
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a widely used halogenated solvent with documented toxicity affecting multiple organs.
• Previous risk assessments have been conducted, but recent data requires updated insights.
• TCE exposure is linked to acute and chronic toxicity, including various cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent scientific literature (published since 2014) on TCE.
• To clarify unsettled questions regarding TCE metabolism and toxicity mechanisms.
• To update understanding of TCE's impact on target organs and human cancer risk.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of peer-reviewed studies published from 2014 onwards.
• Focus on research investigating TCE metabolism and toxicological mechanisms.
• Analysis of data related to target organ toxicity, biomarkers, and human cancer risk.

Main Results:

• Recent studies provide new insights into TCE metabolism and its toxic effects.
• Updated understanding of TCE's impact on the kidneys, liver, immune, nervous, cardiovascular, and pulmonary systems.
• New data on biomarkers and human cancer risk associated with TCE exposure.

Conclusions:

• Continued research is essential to fully understand TCE's long-term health effects.
• Recent findings necessitate a re-evaluation of TCE risk assessments.
• This review synthesizes current knowledge to inform public health and regulatory decisions.