Our study aims to identify a cluster of patients with an occupational TCE exposure and a diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease (PD), parkinsonism, or atypical parkinsonism in military service members who were stationed outside of Camp Lejeune. 

PD is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. It is one of the world’s fastest growing neurodegenerative disorders, with an incidence of 90,000 cases annually. A study published in May 2023 identified that patients have an increased risk of PD associated with exposure to a degreasing solvent called trichloroethylene (TCE). In October 2023, the U.S. EPA proposed a ban on all TCE because of its neurotoxic effects. 

Patients are identified through physician referrals at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in New Hampshire and medical chart review in EPIC. Eligible patients include adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, parkinsonism, or atypical parkinsonism with a history of military service, and occupational exposure to TCE.

161 patients were screened; 14 met eligibility criteria; 8 enrolled and completed the survey. Patient age ranges from 50-87 years. Diagnoses included: Young-onset PD, PD, or parkinsonism. Patients who enrolled served between 1958-1991 either at Pease Airforce Base, NH, Camp LeJeune, NC, Biloxi, MS, Fort Belvoir, VA or Shaw Airforce Base, SC. Patients report using TCE containing degreasing agents on average 3 times per week, ranging from 20 minutes to 2 hours per use. All patients report not being provided with protective equipment and not being informed of potential health risks. 

The risk of PD with TCE exposure exists outside of Camp Lejeune. PD is a life-changing diagnosis. Raising awareness about the neurotoxic effects of TCE can help support national regulations that will ban TCE and improve screening of environmental exposures in the clinical practice of neurology.