A commonly used pesticide in American agriculture has been linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to new research from UCLA. The study, published in a scientific journal, highlights concerns regarding chlorpyrifos, a chemical often applied to crops such as soybeans, fruit and nut trees, and various vegetables.
The research involved comparing 829 individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s to a control group of 824 healthy participants over 45 years, focusing particularly on their exposure to chlorpyrifos. In addition to human data, the study included experiments on mice, which were subjected to inhaling the pesticide for 11 weeks, as well as tests on zebrafish to analyze brain damage at the cellular level.
Findings suggest that individuals with long-term exposure to chlorpyrifos had a more than 2.5 times greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. In animal studies, mice exhibited movement issues resembling Parkinson’s symptoms, experienced a loss of dopamine-producing neurons, and showed increased brain inflammation.
Dr. Jeff Bronstein, the director of the Movement Disorders Program at UCLA, noted the surprising consistency of toxic effects observed in both mice and zebrafish. He emphasized that the risk of developing Parkinson’s increases with longer exposure to chlorpyrifos, recommending that people avoid pesticides like it by using organic products and carefully washing fruits and vegetables.
However, the study does have limitations. It primarily shows a link rather than proving a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Researchers acknowledged that their analysis relied on participants’ living locations without assessing diet or other lifestyle factors, and the impact of chlorpyrifos on humans may not be directly comparable to animal studies. Additionally, chlorpyrifos might be mixed with other chemicals, complicating the ability to measure its specific effects.
Chlorpyrifos is widely utilized to manage various pests, including termites and mosquitoes. Although the EPA banned its use on food crops in 2021, a federal court recently overturned that ban, allowing its application to continue while the agency reviews regulations. The EPA is now working on a new health risk assessment for chlorpyrifos and intends to consider this latest study in its evaluation.
Corteva, a major agricultural firm, announced it would cease production of chlorpyrifos due to declining sales. Additionally, BASF, a German chemical company, requested the cancellation of its pesticide registrations for products containing the substance.
As concerns grow about the pesticide’s safety, experts urge caution in its use and suggest opting for safer, organic alternatives.
