Air Pollution Linked to Increased Risk of Parkinson’s Disease in the US: Study
A recent study has revealed a concerning connection between air pollution and the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. According to scientists, individuals living in areas with moderate levels of air pollution are 56 percent more likely to develop Parkinson’s compared to those residing in regions with low levels of air pollution. The research, published in the journal Neurology, aimed to identify national and geographic trends of Parkinson’s disease and examine specific links with fine particulate matter.
Dr. Brittany Krzyzanowski, the lead researcher from Barrow Neurological Institute, explained that previous studies have shown fine particulate matter to cause inflammation in the brain, a known factor in the development of Parkinson’s disease. This study, utilizing advanced geospatial analytical techniques, for the first time confirmed a strong nationwide association between incident Parkinson’s disease and fine particulate matter pollution in the United States.
Interestingly, the study also found that the link between air pollution and Parkinson’s disease is not consistent across every part of the country and varies in strength. Regions including northern North Dakota, areas of Texas, Kansas, eastern Michigan, and the tip of Florida, as well as the Mississippi-Ohio River Valley, have been identified as hotspots for Parkinson’s disease. Conversely, individuals residing in the western half of the United States face a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s compared to other regions.
Dr. Krzyzanowski further explained that regional differences in Parkinson’s disease could be attributed to variations in the composition of the particulate matter. Some areas may have particulate matter containing more toxic components, such as combustion particles from traffic and heavy metals from manufacturing, which have been linked to cell death in the brain region associated with Parkinson’s disease.
The study utilized the Medicare dataset, which included nearly 22 million individuals, to conduct a population-based geographic analysis. Approximately 90,000 people with Parkinson’s disease were identified and geocoded based on their neighborhood of residence, allowing researchers to determine the prevalence of the disease in each region. The study also estimated the average yearly concentrations of fine particulate matter in these specific areas.
The findings from this study are expected to aid in the development of stricter policies aimed at reducing air pollution and thus minimizing the risk of Parkinson’s disease and other related disorders. Dr. Krzyzanowski emphasized the significance of considering air pollution as a potential contributor to the development of Parkinson’s, alongside the commonly studied factor of pesticide exposure.
Population-based geographic studies like this have the potential to shed light on the role of environmental toxins in the development and progression of Parkinson’s disease, and could also be applied to explore other neurological health conditions. By understanding and addressing the impact of air pollution, policymakers and health experts can work towards creating a cleaner and safer environment for all.
