Environmental toxins can cause Parkinson's

Researchers at the University of Rochester believe that environmental toxins could trigger Parkinson's disease. Nearly one million Americans suffer from Parkinson's disease, with an additional 90,000 diagnosed each year. The study published in the Journal of Parkinson's Disease suggests that the disease begins in two places: the brain through inhalation and the body through ingestion. Pesticides used in agriculture, toxic solvents used in dry cleaning, and air pollution itself have been linked to triggering Parkinson's disease through inhalation. Toxins ingested through food that can trigger the disease are often found in well water. Well water contaminated with pesticides and industrial chemicals polluting groundwater have been associated with the development of Parkinson's. "The timing, dose, and duration of exposure are critical to who ultimately develops Parkinson's... these exposures likely occurred years or decades before symptoms appeared," said researcher Dr. Dorsey from the University of Rochester. Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson's, but there are various treatment options to alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life. Researchers believe that stricter regulations and better monitoring of toxins in food and water would reduce the risk of exposure to these poisons.