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. 2016 Oct;58(10):1040-1045.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000850.

No Association Between Unintentional Head Injuries and Early-Life Exposure to Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-Contaminated Drinking Water

Ann Aschengrau  1 , Lisa G Gallagher, Michael R Winter, Veronica M Vieira, Patricia A Janulewicz, Thomas F Webster, David M Ozonoff
Affiliations

No Association Between Unintentional Head Injuries and Early-Life Exposure to Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-Contaminated Drinking Water

Ann Aschengrau et al. J Occup Environ Med. 2016 Oct.

Abstract

Objective: Because of emerging evidence that early-life exposure to the solvent tetrachloroethylene (PCE) has long-lasting neurological consequences, we examined the risk of unintentional head injuries following prenatal and childhood exposure to PCE-contaminated drinking water.

Methods: Participants provided information on head injuries and other relevant characteristics in a self-administered questionnaire. Exposure to PCE was modeled using a leaching and transport algorithm set in water system modeling software.

Results: We did not observe any evidence of an increased risk of any type of head injury among exposed participants.

Conclusions: PCE is a widespread water pollutant. Thus, documenting possible health effects of early-life exposure is vital for ensuring that drinking water regulations adequately protect vulnerable populations.

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Conflict of interest statement

At the request of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in 1980, Dr Ozonoff was a witness in bankruptcy court in a suit against the Johns-Manville Corporation, manufacturers of the ACVL water mains. He has also, on occasion, testified in personal injury and property damage cases involving exposure to tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene. None of the other authors have any conflicts of interest.

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