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Parkinson\u2019s disease has traditionally been blamed on genetics, with little hope of preventing or curing it.<\/p>\nParkinson\u2019s disease has traditionally been blamed on genetics, with little hope of preventing or curing it.<\/p>\n
But a recent study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health<\/em> reveals an environmental cause, one that can increase the risk of developing Parkinson\u2019s more than tenfold. But at the same time, it\u2019s completely avoidable.<\/p>\n The researchers obtained records of people who were hospitalized with Parkinson\u2019s disease in 95 different hospitals from the Louisiana Office of Public Health. These diagnoses were made between 1999 and 2012, with more recent data unavailable.<\/p>\n They then obtained the ZIP Codes of 23,224 of these patients so they could calculate the occurrence of Parkinson\u2019s disease per 10,000 residents.<\/p>\n The researchers compared these Parkinson\u2019s statistics with maps of local agricultural activities and water quality samples taken by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.<\/p>\n They also received estimates from the US Geological Survey of herbicide and insecticide use on farmland and timberland in Louisiana between 1992 and 2004, with the estimates based on the farmers\u2019 record keeping.<\/p>\n While the average occurrence of Parkinson\u2019s was approximately 2.9 out of every 10,000 people, those areas in which certain herbicides and insecticides were used featured 35\u201346 people out of every 10,000-receiving treatment for Parkinson\u2019s.<\/p>\n The highest rates appeared to be in areas dominated by forestry, woodlands, and grass pastures.<\/p>\n To be precise, the worst insecticides seemed to be 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and paraquat, and the worst herbicide was chlorpyrifos.<\/p>\n The scientists found the highest occurrence of Parkinson\u2019s in areas where aquifers were refilled via rain water that seeped into them through chemically treated farmland or where small streams delivered chemical-containing water to the aquifers.<\/p>\n Accordingly, they discovered that some of the highest Parkinson\u2019s rates appeared in areas where tap water was taken from these recharged aquifers.<\/p>\n This means that we do not have to live or work on a farm to come into contact with these harmful herbicides and insecticides; they can seep into the water supplies of cities and suburbs as well.<\/p>\n It also serves as another reminder to use good water filter devices in our homes, preferably multi-stage reverse osmosis devices with new filters.<\/p>\n It also reminds us to wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly before we eat them.<\/p>\n