Is Pesticide Use Related to Parkinson Disease?
Our overall summary risk estimates strongly suggest that exposure to pesticides, and to herbicides and/or insecticides in particular, increases the risk of developing PD. Heterogeneity among study-specific RRs could not easily be explained by methodological differences, except for a suggestive effect of exposure assessment characteristics. Future studies should therefore focus on using more objective semiquantitative methods for exposure assessment such as job- or crop-exposure matrices, rather than relying solely on self-report. Although classes of pesticides have been linked to PD, it remains important to identify the specific chemicals responsible for this association. Therefore, in new, preferably prospective studies, attention should be given to collecting detailed information on specific pesticide use.
Conclusion
Our overall summary risk estimates strongly suggest that exposure to pesticides, and to herbicides and/or insecticides in particular, increases the risk of developing PD. Heterogeneity among study-specific RRs could not easily be explained by methodological differences, except for a suggestive effect of exposure assessment characteristics. Future studies should therefore focus on using more objective semiquantitative methods for exposure assessment such as job- or crop-exposure matrices, rather than relying solely on self-report. Although classes of pesticides have been linked to PD, it remains important to identify the specific chemicals responsible for this association. Therefore, in new, preferably prospective studies, attention should be given to collecting detailed information on specific pesticide use.