Exposure to Pesticides or Bug and Weed Killers Tied to Increased Risk of Parkinson’s Disease

A new study published in the journal Neurology reveals that exposure to pesticides or bug and weed killers and solvents is more likely linked with an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The study was based on an analysis of more than 100 studies from around the world.

Conducted by study author Emanuele Cereda, MD, PhD, with the IRCCS University Hospital San Matteo Foundation in Pavia, Italy and Gianni Pezzoli, MD, with the Parkinson Institute - ICP, Milan,  the study states that due to the existing association, researchers also found a link between farming or country living and developing Parkinson's in some of the studies.

To prove the hypothesis, researchers analyzed more than 104 studies that focused on the exposure to weed, fungus, rodent or bug killers, solvents and the dangers of developing Parkinson's disease. The researchers also analyzed the proximity of exposure that included country living, occupation and water drinking.

They noticed that the risk of developing Parkinson's disease increased by 33 to 80 percent on being exposed to bug or weed killers and solvents.  In a control study conducted, they noticed that the risk of developing Parkinson's increased on being exposed to paraquat, a weed killer, or maneb and mancozeb, which are fungicides.

"We didn't study whether the type of exposure, such as whether the compound was inhaled or absorbed through the skin and the method of application, such as spraying or mixing, affected Parkinson's risk," said Cereda in a press statement. "However, our study suggests that the risk increases in a dose response manner as the length of exposure to these chemicals increases."