Perchloroethylene, Trichlorothylene and other Chlorinated Hydrocarbons – Toxicology Litigation Support

Dr. Parent has participated in a number of cases for both plaintiff and defense involving PERC, TCE, vinyl chloride, and other chlorinated hydrocarbons in groundwater, drinking water, and in the air. When perchloroethylene is released into the environment, it is degraded to trichloroethylene and a number of other chlorinated hydrocarbons, including vinyl chloride. The latter is a known human carcinogen and has been used also as a propellant in hair sprays. Some of the other chlorinated hydrocarbons also have been implicated as carcinogens based on animal studies and have been shown to initiate autoimmune responses in man including scleroderma and other illnesses. Where appropriate, causal links to specific illnesses consistent with the exposures have been made to PERC, TCE, vinyl chloride, and other chlorinated hydrocarbons. Our database on PERC, TCE, vinyl chloride, and other hydrocarbons is extensive. Selected references are provided below.

Selected References

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Fahrig, R., Madle, S. and Baumann, H., Genetic toxicology of trichloroethylene (TCE). Mutation Research, 340, 1-36 (1995).

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Feldman, R. G., Mayer, R. M. and Taub, A., Evidence of peripheral neurotoxic effect of trichloroethylene. Neurology, 20(6), 599-606 (1970).

Ferroni, C., Selis, L., Mutti, A., Folli, D., Bergamaschi, E. and Franchini, I., Neurobehavioral and neuroendocrine effects of occupational exposure to perchloroethylene. Neurotoxicology, 13(1), 243-247 (1992).

Fessel, W. J., Systemic lupus erythematosus in the community. Archives of Internal Medicine, 134, 1027-1035 (1974).

Flindt-Hansen, H. and Isager, H., Scleroderma after occupational exposure to trichlorethylene and trichlorethane. Acta Dermato-venereologica, 67(3), 263-264 (1987).

Goldberg, S. J., Dawson, B. B., Johnson, P. and Ulreich, J. B., Cardiac teratogenesis in mammals produced by dichloroethylene and trichloroethylene. Pediatric Cardiology, 11(4), 244-245 (1990).

Graovac-Leposavic, L., Milosavljevic, Z. and Ilic, V., Liver function in workers exposed to trichloroethylene. Arhiv Za Higijenu Rada I Toksikologiju, 15, 93-97 (1964).

Griffin, J. M., Blossom, S. J., Jackson, S. K., Gilbert, K. M. and Pumford, N. R., Trichloroethylene accelerates an autoimmune response by Th1 T cell activation in MRL +/+ mice. Immunopharmacology, 46(2), 123-137 (2000).

Gutch, C. F., Tomhave, W. G. and Stevens, S. C., Acute renal failure due to inhalation of trichloroethylene. Annals of Internal Medicine, 63, 128-134 (1965).

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Hess, E. V. and Farhey, Y., Epidemiology, genetics, etiology, and environmental relationships of systemic lupus erythematosus. Current Opinions in Rheumatology, 6, 474-480 (1994).

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