Chemical Warning: Dry Cleaning Toxin May Triple Liver Fibrosis Risk
London-UK, 14 , November, 2025
Common Chemical Used in Dry Cleaning May Triple Risk for Liver Fibrosis
A startling new study published in Liver International has delivered a serious public health warning, revealing that exposure to a common chemical used in dry cleaning and various household products may triple the risk of developing significant liver fibrosis.
The chemical in question, tetrachloroethylene (PCE), a human-made, colourless solvent, was found to be strongly associated with an excessive buildup of scar tissue in the liver, a condition that can progress to severe health outcomes including liver cancer, liver failure, or death.
The research found a clear dose-response relationship, indicating that the more exposure an individual had, the greater their odds of developing this serious liver damage, regardless of common risk factors like age, sex, or alcohol consumption.
Key Headlines
PCE Identified:
The chemical Tetrachloroethylene (PCE), commonly used in industrial degreasing and dry cleaning, was the focus of the study by Keck Medicine of USC.
Threefold Risk:
Individuals with detectable levels of PCE in their blood were found to be three times more likely to have significant liver fibrosis compared to those without exposure.
Household Sources:
Exposure is not limited to dry cleaning workers; PCE is also found in consumer products like spot cleaners, adhesives for arts and crafts, and stainless steel polish.
Global Concern:
While the US EPA has begun a 10-year phaseout of PCE in dry cleaning, the chemical remains in widespread use globally, posing a continuing threat in regions without strict regulations.
Liver fibrosis is essentially the liver’s attempt to repair itself from damage, resulting in the excessive formation of scar tissue.
While some scarring is normal, significant fibrosis impairs the liver’s ability to function and is a precursor to cirrhosis, liver failure, and cancer.
The study, which utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) covering US adults, sought to identify environmental toxins that might be contributing to liver disease in individuals who lack the typical risk factors like hepatitis or chronic alcohol consumption.
The researchers’ findings were highly consistent:
approximately 7% of the general adult population had detectable levels of PCE in their blood, and this group showed a dramatically increased prevalence of significant liver fibrosis.
Beyond the tripled risk for all exposed individuals, the study also provided a clear fivefold increase in the odds of liver damage for every one nanogram per milliliter increase in PCE concentration in the blood. This suggests a direct and escalating toxic effect on the liver as exposure increases.
PCE is used primarily as a degreasing agent and solvent. Most people are exposed to the chemical through the air—it can be slowly released into the air over time from clothing that has been recently dry cleaned. However, the study’s warning extends to common household products.
PCE’s presence in spot cleaners, adhesives, and metal polishes means that exposure can happen routinely within the home environment, even for those who never use professional dry cleaning services.
The revelation is particularly concerning given the chemical’s existing reputation. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has already classified PCE as a probable human carcinogen, linking it to bladder cancer and certain blood cancers. The new evidence on liver fibrosis adds a critical new dimension to the known health hazards of this persistent environmental pollutant.
While the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated a 10-year phaseout of PCE use in dry cleaning and imposed restrictions on other industrial uses, the chemical remains in active circulation in many countries without similar regulations. This disparity turns the finding into a significant global health security concern.
Health experts are now urging consumers to exercise caution, read product labels carefully, and choose alternatives to dry-cleaned clothing or PCE-containing spot cleaners where possible, as even minimal, long-term exposure can silently pave the way for severe, potentially fatal, liver disease.
