“A growing body of evidence now links certain pesticides, dry-cleaning chemicals, and air pollution to Parkinson’s disease,” says E. Ray Dorsey, MD, professor of neurology at the University of Rochester in New York. Here, we look at the evidence for agricultural chemicals, harsh solvents, smog, and head trauma.
Pesticides
“Occupational exposure to pesticides and chlorinated solvents has been associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s,” says Caroline Tanner, MD, PhD, FAAN, professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco.“ Many of these chemicals remain in the soil and water for years, and some may be released from the soil into the air and concentrated in buildings, where occupants may be exposed. In a smaller number of studies, the risk of Parkinson’s has been found to be increased in people who worked or lived near areas where these chemicals were used.” A study published in Nature Communications in May 2023 linked 10 pesticides with Parkinson’s.
Air pollution
Particulate matter and its chemical components have been implicated in neurologic disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, says Katherine James, PhD, associate professor at the Colorado School of Public Health in Denver. “It is not yet fully clear which chemicals are specifically associated, and ongoing research is investigating this. It is important to remember that many environmental exposures do not necessarily lead to Parkinson’s without other factors, such as genetic susceptibility.” A study published in JAMA Neurology in May 2021 found an association between nitrogen dioxide in the air, which can cause inflammation and asthma, and a risk of Parkinson’s.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Head trauma, including damage sustained while playing soccer or football, is also associated with a higher risk of Parkinson’s, says Dr. Tanner. “These head injuries may occur decades before Parkinson’s is diagnosed. The risk is even higher in people with more than one head injury.” A study published in Acta Neuropathologica Communications in April 2020 identified mechanisms through which TBI can initiate or accelerate Parkinson’s, including inflammation (which can damage neurons) and a TBI-induced abnormal accumulation of proteins such as alpha-synuclein, a Parkinson’s biomarker.
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