New research links air pollution to Parkinson’s Disease

[Baron1]

Numerous studies suggest that environmental exposures play a critical role in Parkinson disease (PD) pathogenesis, and large, population-based studies have the potential to advance substantially the identification of novel PD risk factors.

The study was done nationwide including geographic relationship between PD and air pollution, specifically PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter <2.5 micrometers), using population-based, United States (U.S.) Medicare data.

Researchers at Barrow Neurological Institute found that people living in regions with median levels of air pollution have a 56% greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease compared to those living in regions with the lowest level of air pollution.

Brittany Krzyzanowski, PhD, a researcher at Barrow Neurological Institute, who led the study said: ‘Previous studies have shown fine particulate matter to cause inflammation in the brain, a known mechanism by which Parkinson’s disease could develop. Using state-of-the-art geospatial analytical techniques, we were, for the first time, able to confirm a strong nationwide association between incident Parkinson’s disease and fine particulate matter in the U.S.’

The study found that the relationship between air pollution and Parkinson’s disease differs around the country, but as the main pollutant being studied was PM2.5, its chemical composition is likely to vary from area to area. The Mississippi-Ohio River Valley was identified as a Parkinson’s disease hotspot, and here studies have identified heavy metals within PM2.5, including manganese and zinc linked to iron and steel manufacturing.

P.S. For those who need affirmation of the above to please their constant doubting of people posting information in this forum, please read the link below

n.neurology.org/content/ear...

Best wishes and keep the faith to all.

[LindaP50]

Our neurologist mentioned this to us at last visit. Air pollution linked to PD. With all the fires lasting days and days - for instance the fires in Canada filtering throughout the US - was very harmful to folks with asthma, COPD and more. Environment is one of the causes of PD. Toxic chemicals and more.

M husband was exposed to ionized radiation during his short time in the Army which caused 2 conditions: essential thrombocythemia (ET) and PD.

Doctors are saying take your RX and exercise daily to the best of your ability for people with PD and other diseases as well. Even just 10 minutes at a time is beneficial.

[jeffreyn]

See also this recent PNT article.

parkinsonsnewstoday.com/new...

[Esperanto]

While I am convinced that air pollution is an important factor in the PD pandemic, there are, in my opinion, a number of factors that are not adequately considered. I am not sufficiently familiar with the US situation, but when I look at similar studies in the Netherlands, I also see a greatly increased risk of PD in areas that have relatively clean air especially in the northern areas. Seeing the same even on the Wadden Islands, a series of extremely northern protected islands, with no agricultural or industrial pollution and some even with no car traffic, confirms my suspicion that latitude may play a big role. The closer you live to the equator the more sunshine hours, even in such a small country like the Netherlands. Besides, what do dietary patterns, pesticide use look like in different regions.

It would be interesting if the used US maps of air pollution and PD percentages that you can see in the mentioned research were also critically examined.