Environmental exposures are linked to Parkinson’s disease, Elizabeth Tracey reports

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Specific pesticides as well as other chemicals increase one’s risk for developing Parkinson’s disease, research shows. Liana Rosenthal, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins, describes which ones are known to be problematic.

Rosenthal: Paraquat increased the risk of PD by 150%. It continues to be used. Another chemical exposure it's something called trichloroethylene or TCE. This leads to a 500% increased risk of Parkinson's disease. It's a long list of occupations, dry cleaners is one in particular, painters, electronic manufacturers, computer specialists. And then there's a whole bunch of commercial and consumer uses. Adhesives, carpet cleaners, decaffeinated coffee, refrigerant, stain removers, wood finishes.     :34

Rosenthal says a recent ban on TCE will help in the future to reduce PD risk relative to exposure. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey.