Beneath the routine of spraying crops lies a growing concern that has remained largely under the radar: the link between pesticide and herbicide exposure and Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that, over time, robs sufferers of many of their faculties and quality of life. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s, but it is the world’s fastest growing. Disturbingly, rates of Parkinson’s are rising particularly quickly in rural farming communities.
Our increasingly ageing population is a factor, but this does not alone explain the rapid growth in incidence, especially given that fact that 20% of people living with Parkinson’s experience symptoms before age 50. Genes play a role too, with approximately 15% of individuals with Parkinson’s having a family history, but a lifetime of exposure to environmental factors, including herbicides and pesticides, industrial chemicals, and air pollution, is the key driver of disease. Indeed, a growing body of scientific evidence points to a strong connection between exposure to certain agricultural chemicals and the onset of Parkinson’s. This is supported by population-level studies (called ‘epidemiology’) showing a clear geographical relationship between the use of these chemicals and Parkinson’s incidence, as well as animal studies showing that exposure to these chemicals induces Parkinson’s like symptoms.
Studies from all around the world have definitively shown that certain pesticides and herbicides—specifically paraquat, heptachlor, and rotenone—are associated with a significantly increased risk of Parkinson’s. Paraquat, for instance, has been found to increase the risk by as much as 200–600% depending on the level and duration of exposure, and it is now banned in many countries (it is restricted in NZ, and many paraquat-containing products have been banned, but not all). It is important to note that the risk of Parkinson’s is not confined to those working with these chemicals; those living near their application are also at risk. And there are likely other pesticides that will be linked to Parkinson’s as more studies are conducted.
What these chemicals, as well as air pollution and solvents like trichloroethylene (which is used in mining and dry cleaning), have in common is that they are thought to damage mitochondria—the energy-producing parts of cells. The exposure doesn’t have to be massive or dramatic; the disease is likely the result of chronic low-dose exposures over decades combined with genetic risk/predisposition and exposure to other potential triggers (such as infections and head knocks). What’s tragic is that many of these individuals were never warned about the neurological dangers of the products they used routinely. Labels might contain safety instructions, but they don’t always spell out the long-term consequences. And for many older-generation farmers, protective equipment was rarely used or even available.
Though these findings are cause for concern, knowledge is power; in this case, a little knowledge could help to protect people’s futures. Here are some practical steps farmers can take to reduce their risk:
The emerging pandemic that is Parkinson’s disease is one we must all confront, and not ignore. Besides the considerable impact on sufferers and their families, the estimated impact of the disease on the NZ economy is ~$600M per annum. At least 13,000 Kiwis have Parkinson’s today, and this number is predicted to double in the next 15–20 years. Farmers deserve the right to work safely without risking their long-term health. The tools you use to protect your crops should not become the reason you struggle to hold a cup of coffee steady in your later years.
This Editorial is scheduled to appear in the June 2 issue of Rural News.
If you would like to read more about the links between Parkinson’s and herbicides/pesticides, see the following recent media pieces:
https://www.politico.eu/article/bas-bloem-parkinsons-pesticides-mptp-glyphosate-paraquat/
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/01/epa-ban-paraquat-pesticide
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