Authors

  1. Section Editor(s): Pfeifer, Gail M. MA, RN

Article Content

Two pesticides raise the risk of Parkinson's disease. According to a study reported online in Environmental Health Perspectives on January 26, people who are exposed to the pesticides rotenone or paraquat are 2.5 times more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those who aren't exposed. Lifetime use of the pesticides was assessed in 110 patients with Parkinson's disease and in 358 controls. People exposed to the pesticides were largely farmers or their spouses. Both pesticides are toxic to the nervous system.