Environmental Exposures in Elderly Canadians with Parkinson's Disease

     S Chaturvedi, TØstbye, AJ Stoessl, H Merskey and V Hachinski

Abstract:   Background: Etiologic hypotheses for Parkinson's disease have implicated environmental factors, genetic factors, or a combination of the two. Methods: Data from a survey of elderly Canadians (n = 10,263) with regard to their history of Parkinson's disease and previous environmental exposures were analyzed. Exposure to various environmental factors was compared between 87 patients with Parkinson's disease and 2070 elderly controls without Parkinson's disease. Results: Exposure to plastic resins (OR (odd ratio) = 8.79), epoxy resins (OR = 6.94), glues (OR = 4.26), paints (OR = 3.84), and petroleum (OR = 2.30) products was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with Parkinson's disease. Conclusion: These substances deserve further exploration with respect to the possible development of parkinsonism.

Can. J. Neurol. Sci. 1995; 22: 232-234