Exposure to pesticides increases the risk of developing Parkinson's disease somewhat, researchers report. It's likely that both genetic and environmental factors lead to Parkinson's disease, Dr Finlay B. Dick from Aberdeen University, UK, told Reuters Health.
Three factors emerged as having a significant impact on the risk for Parkinson's disease, the investigators' report in the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
First, low exposure to pesticides increased the risk for Parkinson's disease by 13 percent, and high exposure increased the risk 41 percent. Second, having been knocked unconscious conferred an even higher risk, the researchers report, with a 35 percent increase for having been knocked unconscious once and a 153 percent increase for having been knocked unconscious more than once. Third, tobacco use appeared to protect against developing Parkinson's disease, the report indicates, reducing the odds by half.