Air Pollution Linked To 56 Per Cent Higher Risk Of Parkinson's Disease

A new study conducted in the United States has revealed a concerning link between air pollution and Parkinson's disease, a degenerative neurological disorder. Researchers at the Barrow Neurological Institute, Arizona, found that moderate levels of fine particle pollution, known as PM2.5, are associated with a 56 per cent higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease.

Previous research has established that PM2.5 can cause inflammation in the brain, a known mechanism for the development of Parkinson's disease. This groundbreaking study further emphasizes the critical role of air quality in public health.

The research, published in the journal Neurology, analyzed data from nearly 90,000 individuals with Parkinson's disease, identified from a vast dataset of around 22 million people covered by Medicare in the United States. By geocoding the patients' residences, the researchers were able to calculate disease rates within specific regions and determine the average annual concentrations of fine particulate matter in those areas.

The study's findings revealed regional variations in the relationship between air pollution and Parkinson's disease. The Mississippi-Ohio River Valley, central North Dakota, parts of Texas, Kansas, eastern Michigan, and parts of Florida were identified as Parkinson's disease hotspots. Conversely, individuals in the western half of the United States were found to be at a reduced risk of developing the disease.

Lead researcher Brittany Krzyzanowski suggested that these regional differences could be attributed to variations in the composition of particulate matter. Some areas may have higher levels of toxic components, such as combustion particles from traffic and heavy metals from manufacturing, both of which have been linked to cell death in the part of the brain involved in Parkinson's disease.

The study highlights the urgent need for stricter policies aimed at reducing air pollution levels to mitigate the risk of Parkinson's disease and other associated health problems. The researchers also note that their population-based geographic approach could be applied to explore the role of environmental toxins in the development and progression of other neurological health conditions.