Source: Fox News
Summary
A recent study published in the journal Springer Nature Link suggests that exposure to the pesticide chlorpyrifos may increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease. The study, conducted by UCLA researchers, compared 829 people with Parkinson’s to 824 people without the disease over a 45-year period and found that long-term exposure to chlorpyrifos led to more than a 2.5 times higher risk of Parkinson’s. The researchers also conducted mouse and zebrafish experiments, which showed movement problems and brain cell damage similar to Parkinson’s symptoms. The study’s findings are consistent with previous human studies that suggested an association between chlorpyrifos exposure and Parkinson’s.
Our Reading
The advice sounds familiar.
The link between pesticide exposure and Parkinson’s disease is not new, but the study’s findings are a reminder that the risks associated with chlorpyrifos are still being studied and debated. The EPA banned the use of chlorpyrifos on food crops in 2021, but a federal appeals court overturned that decision in 2023. The agency has since announced plans to move forward with a rule that would ban most uses of chlorpyrifos. Meanwhile, some manufacturers have already stopped producing the chemical. As the science continues to evolve, it’s essential to stay informed about the potential risks associated with chlorpyrifos and other pesticides.
It’s a familiar pattern: a study suggests a link between a common pesticide and a devastating disease, and the debate over the chemical’s safety is reignited.
Author: Evan Null
