By Véronique LaCapra, St. Louis Public Radio
ST. LOUIS – A new study out of Washington University School of Medicine has shown a link between urban industrial pollution and Parkinson's disease.
The researchers analyzed data from 35,000 Medicare recipients with Parkinson's disease, and Environmental Protection Agency data on industrial emissions.
They found that people living in urban areas with high levels of manganese pollution had an almost 80 percent greater risk of developing Parkinson's disease than residents of low-pollution areas.
Exposure to high levels of copper pollution also correlated to an increased risk of Parkinson's, by just over 10 percent.
Study lead researcher Dr. Allison Willis said the study showed the metal emissions come from a wide range of sources, not just steel factories: everything from food and beverage production to apparel manufacturing.
"I think it will shift the focus away from certain industries, and focus on overall total community emission levels or overall pollution levels," Willis said.
Willis also said this is the first Parkinson's study to focus on urban areas, and to consider environmental risk factors for women and minorities.
More than 500,000 people in the U.S. have Parkinson's disease.