Dry Cleaning Chemical Linked to Liver and Kidney Damage: What You Need to Know About PCE
- Sean Hashmi, MD
- Mar 18
- 4 min read
You might not think twice about picking up your shirts from the dry cleaner. But the chemical that makes traditional dry cleaning work, tetrachloroethylene (also called perchloroethylene or PCE), has been linked to serious organ damage that most people never see coming.
A 2025 study published in Liver International analyzed data from more than 1,600 US adults and found that people with any measurable PCE in their blood were approximately three times more likely to have significant liver fibrosis. Even more concerning, for every one nanogram per milliliter increase in blood PCE levels, the odds of fibrosis increased fivefold.
That is a clear dose-response relationship: more exposure, more risk.
And 7% of Americans already have detectable levels of this chemical in their blood.
PCE Is More Common Than You Think
PCE is not limited to dry cleaning shops. It shows up in aerosol degreasers, spot removers, metal polishes, and adhesive products found in many households. It also contaminates groundwater near industrial facilities, hazardous waste sites, and military bases. Most people who are exposed have no idea.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies PCE as a Group 2A chemical, meaning it is a probable human carcinogen.
Two Organs, Two Pathways, One Chemical
What makes PCE particularly dangerous is that it attacks both the liver and the kidneys through separate mechanisms.
When you are exposed, your liver metabolizes PCE and generates reactive compounds that damage liver cells directly. Over time, this repeated injury leads to fibrosis, the stiffening and scarring that impairs liver function.
But the damage does not stop there. As PCE is broken down, it forms compounds called glutathione conjugates. These metabolites are filtered by the kidneys, and in the process, they damage the proximal tubules. That is the part of the kidney responsible for reabsorbing essential nutrients and fluids. Occupational studies in dry cleaning workers have shown reduced kidney function, proximal tubular toxicity, and increased risk of chronic kidney disease. In animal studies, PCE exposure caused renal tubular necrosis, which is actual death of kidney cells.
These two pathways also reinforce each other. When the liver develops fibrosis, it triggers systemic inflammation that worsens blood flow to the kidneys. So PCE creates a dual threat: direct kidney toxicity plus the downstream consequences of liver damage.
People with existing fatty liver disease may be especially vulnerable because their liver is already under stress.
A Five-Step Protection Protocol
Here is what you can do to reduce your exposure starting this week.
Step 1: Check your dry cleaner. Ask whether they use PCE-free methods. Look for terms like wet cleaning, carbon dioxide (CO2) cleaning, or liquid silicone. These alternatives are safer and increasingly available.
Step 2: Air out your clothes. If you use traditional dry cleaning, remove the plastic covering immediately. PCE off-gases from the fabric and concentrates inside that wrapping. Hang your clothes outside or in a well-ventilated space for 24 hours before wearing or storing them.
Step 3: Replace household products. Avoid aerosol degreasers and solvent-based cleaners. Read labels on spot removers, adhesives, and metal polishes. If they contain PCE or perchloroethylene, find a water-based substitute.
Step 4: Consider water testing. If you live near industrial sites, hazardous waste facilities, or military bases, PCE may have contaminated local groundwater. Look for water filters rated for volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Step 5: Talk to your doctor about monitoring. If you have occupational exposure to solvents or dry cleaning chemicals, ask about liver monitoring (ALT, AST, FibroScan) and kidney monitoring (creatinine, eGFR, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio). Early detection makes all the difference.
Your One Action Step This Week
Check your dry cleaner's methods or air out your next batch of clothes. One simple change can make a real difference.
References
Kim, H. J., et al. (2025). Association between tetrachloroethylene exposure and liver fibrosis in the US adult population. Liver International. https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.16243
International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2014). Tetrachloroethylene. IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, Vol. 106.
Mandel, J. S., et al. (2006). Occupational trichloroethylene exposure and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: A meta-analysis and review. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 63(9), 597-607.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (2019). Toxicological profile for tetrachloroethylene. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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Medical Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine. Viewing this content does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. The views and opinions expressed are Dr. Hashmi's personal professional opinions and do not represent the views of any employer, healthcare institution, or affiliated organization.
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