- By Bornika Das
- Thu, 26 Jun 2025 08:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
When we think about workplace safety, we often picture hard hats, safety boots and accident prevention protocols. But what if the real danger isn’t something you can see or feel, but something you breathe in, day after day? Many industrial workers are unknowingly exposed to hazardous chemicals like trichloroethylene (TCE), a solvent widely used in metal degreasing, paints, and adhesives. While it may seem harmless in the moment, long-term exposure to TCE has been increasingly linked to kidney damage and even kidney cancer, turning everyday tasks into invisible health threats.
Kidneys are silent workhorses of the body, filtering waste and toxins from the blood. But they’re also incredibly vulnerable to environmental toxins that enter through the skin or lungs. The real danger lies in how slowly and quietly kidney damage can develop. Symptoms often remain hidden until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. In conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr. Hardik Patel, Associate Consultant - Nephrologist & Transplant Physician, Manipal Hospital Goa, states how exposure to hazardous chemicals like trichloroethylene can cause damage to kidney health.
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Studies over the years have linked long-term exposure to TCE with a higher risk of kidney cancer. The kidneys, our body’s natural filtration system, are especially vulnerable. Dr. Hardik Patel states, “Once TCE enters the body through the skin or lungs, it is broken down into byproducts that can directly damage kidney cells. Over time, repeated exposure may lead to mutations and cancerous changes.”
What’s concerning is how quietly this damage happens. Many workers don’t experience clear warning signs. Dr. Patel mentions, “When symptoms like fatigue, back pain, or changes in urination appear, the disease may already be advanced.” Many patients are fit, non-smokers, with no obvious risk factors, who can suddenly be diagnosed with kidney cancer. Dr. Hardik Patel states, “When we dug deeper, we found a common thread: years of unprotected exposure in industrial settings.”
Trichloroethylene Causing Kidney Damage (Image Credits: Canva)
But the good news is that awareness can alter results. Simple steps such as improved ventilation at workplaces, proper protective equipment, and regular check-ups with doctors can produce significant differences. For employees in high-risk professions, regular kidney screening should become the norm.
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Kidney wellness is more than an individual responsibility it's a right in the workplace. All employers need to guarantee that safety standards are adhered to, and all employees should be informed of what they're being exposed to.