Occupational Diseases: Gardeners More Likely to Get Parkinson's

Researchers caution that gardeners drastically increase their risk for developing Parkinson's disease by using pesticides. The brain damage caused by pesticides is comparable to that suffered by boxers who suffer concussions. Dr. Finlay Dick, one of the lead researchers in the study, says that further research likely will be able to identify which pesticides are most dangerous; substitutes for these substances may be able to be implemented.

Gardeners "More Likely to Get Parkinson's"

Previous research has suggested that pesticides affect the way in which mitochondria work. People with Parkinson's have problems moving their body parts and develop tremors and facial ticks. Those who were exposed to low levels of pesticides, including recreational gardeners, were 1.13 more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those who did not garden. People who were exposed to high levels of pesticides, like farmers, were 1.41 times more likely to have Parkinson's disease. Dr. Dick said of the research: "Pesticide use is associated with Parkinson's disease and this has implications for users of these agents. Further research is needed to establish which pesticides are associated with this effect."

Gardeners More Likely to Get Parkinson's

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