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Pesticide Use Increases Chance of Parkinson's Disease in Men

Pesticides | Parkinson's Disease, Movement Disorder | Lawsuit, Lawyer

On June 14, 2006, a Mayo Clinic study established that men who used pesticides for farming or any other intentions raised their risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. The findings of the study have been published in the June issue of Movement Disorders. The study also determined that pesticide contact did not increase the danger of Parkinson's in women. Additionally, no other domestic or industrial chemicals were significantly linked to the disease in men or women.

Jim Maraganore, M.D., Mayo Clinic neurologist and study investigator, says “This confirms what has been found in previous studies: that occupational or other exposure to herbicides, insecticides and other pesticides increases risk for Parkinson's.” "What we think may be happening is that pesticide use combines with other risk factors in men's environment or genetic makeup, causing them to cross over the threshold into developing the disease. By contrast, estrogen may protect women from the toxic effects of pesticides."

Mayo Clinic Study

Mayo Clinic examiners contacted all residents in Olmsted County, Minnesota, who had developed Parkinson's disease between 1976 and 1995. Each person with Parkinson's disease was matched for comparison to someone similar in age and gender that did not have the disease. Mayo Clinic researchers then began to conduct telephone interviews with 149 residents with Parkinson's and 129 who did not have the disease. The data from the phone interviews determined if individuals had exposure to chemical products via farming occupation, non-farming occupation or hobbies.

After reviewing all the information gathered during the phone interviews, the Mayo Clinic team was unable to conclude through these interviews the exact exposure levels of these individuals or the cumulative lifetime exposure to pesticides. In general, the study established that men with Parkinson's disease were 2.4 times more likely to have had exposure to pesticides than those who did not have Parkinson's disease.

Legal Help for Victims

If you or a loved has been exposed to pesticides and were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation by a qualified pollutants attorney. Alternatively, call our toll free number: 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).