Latest news with #BeyondPesticides
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Study makes concerning connection between risk for Parkinson's disease and living near golf courses: 'Cases are exploding'
A startling new study is drawing attention to a hidden hazard lurking in some of the nation's greenest neighborhoods: golf courses. According to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open, people who live within a mile of a golf course may face a 126% higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease — a condition affecting over a million Americans. The culprit? Pesticides. What's happening? Researchers from the Barrow Neurological Institute tracked Parkinson's diagnoses in Olmsted County, Minnesota, over a 24-year span, cross-referencing patient addresses with the locations of 139 nearby golf courses. The analysis revealed a clear pattern: the closer someone lived to a golf course, the higher their odds of developing Parkinson's. And it's not just air exposure. Residents whose tap water came from groundwater sources near a golf course had nearly double the risk of developing the disease. Those living in "vulnerable groundwater regions" — where rainwater can carry chemicals through porous bedrock more easily — faced even greater odds. "This isn't about golf," said Dr. Michael Okun, national medical adviser for the Parkinson's Foundation. "It's about pesticides, environmental exposures, and preventable risks hiding in plain sight." Why is this concerning? Parkinson's disease is a serious progressive condition that impacts movement, speech, and cognitive function. There's no cure — and cases are on the rise. As Newsweek covered, Dr. Okun recently posted to X, formerly Twitter, saying, "Parkinson's cases are exploding. We now face 11.8 million cases globally, and the numbers are climbing fast. Despite this reality, we still spend just 2 to 3 cents of every Parkinson's dollar on prevention. That has to change." While genetics do play a role, environmental factors like pesticide exposure are increasingly being linked to the disease. Chemicals such as paraquat and rotenone — often used to maintain lush greens — have been shown to trigger Parkinson-like symptoms in animal studies. And the U.S. has pesticide risks up to 15 times higher on golf courses than European countries do, according to Beyond Pesticides. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. This research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting our outdoor environments, especially in urban and suburban areas, may not be as safe as they seem — especially when aesthetics are prioritized over health. What's being done about it? While the study doesn't explicitly call for people to move away from golf courses, experts say there's a clear need to reevaluate how pesticides are used in public spaces. Cities and states can take action by tightening regulations on chemical applications near residential areas and upgrading municipal water treatment in high-risk zones. For those living near golf courses, consider reaching out to local environmental health agencies to learn about pesticide transparency laws and groundwater safety initiatives. As Dr. Okun noted, "This is a warning we can't ignore. Prevention has to be part of the plan." Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers highlight terrifying multi-generational consequences of PFAS and pesticides: 'Can interfere with the normal functioning'
A recent report has confirmed a concerning connection between harmful health effects in humans and fluorine exposure through common chemicals and pesticides. A team of researchers based in China published a review that analyzed 80 studies about chemicals and pesticides that disrupt the endocrine system, which is responsible for hormone creation and distribution. They focused their investigation on seven types of fluorine-containing pesticides and five types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The scientists determined that all 12 fluorinated compounds can cause epigenetic modifications in humans and animals, meaning that they can alter gene expression and, thus, cellular function without changing the DNA sequence. Beyond Pesticides summarized the findings, noting that the endocrine-disrupting chemicals share a structural similarity to endemic hormones that allows them to bind to target receptors, leading to gene damage and multigenerational adverse health effects. "These chemicals can interfere with the normal functioning of target tissues by altering their response to hormonal signals, thereby affecting various physiological processes including reproduction, development, the nervous system, the immune system, and even the process of carcinogenesis," the authors of the study wrote. They also mentioned that the endocrine-disrupting pesticides and chemicals, known as EDPs and EDCs, have hydrophobic and lipophilic properties that allow them to thrive in organisms, enhancing "their potential for high biological toxicity and carcinogenicity." Specific issues listed in the review include sex hormone level imbalances that can lead to infertility and gonadal tumors, as well as breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers. Beyond Pesticides added that EDCs can cause diabetes and learning impairments. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The researchers stated that humans are often introduced to EDCs through food ingestion, breathing, and skin contact. Culprits of this exposure are primarily through anthropogenic activity, such as wastewater produced by industrial facilities and pesticide application during the harvesting of agricultural goods. Meanwhile, the versatility of PFAS means that they are used in several industries and near impossible to avoid. They are known as "forever chemicals" because of their resistance to degradation, causing them to leach toxins into the air, soil, and water over extended periods. Beyond Pesticides said that because the "EPA falls far short in addressing the full range of endocrine disrupting effects of all pesticide ingredients," it "should not approve or reregister pesticides until the full scope of the potential harm from chemicals can be addressed." The researchers called for additional research since overlapping exposure to several kinds of EDPs could exacerbate issues, making "assessing and predicting the risk of EDPs more complex and critical." They also highlighted the need for safer pesticide options and alternatives. Luckily, the EPA has proposed plans to protect the public from some PFAS and pesticides. However, a few organizations are still working to convince the agency to ban additional harmful chemicals. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
