A recent study published in JAMA Network Open found that living near golf courses may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (PD). The study highlighted a significant association between PD risk and proximity to golf courses, potentially due to pesticide exposure from course maintenance.

Key Findings

• Increased Risk with Proximity: People living within 1 mile of a golf course had a 126% higher risk of developing PD compared to those living more than 6 miles away.
• Water Service Areas Matter: Individuals in areas where drinking water comes from groundwater with golf courses had nearly double the odds of PD compared to those without golf courses nearby.
• Vulnerable Groundwater Areas: The highest risk was seen in areas with vulnerable groundwater, where pesticides could contaminate drinking water supplies.
• Distance Affects Risk: The risk of PD decreased the farther participants lived from a golf course.

Study Overview

This case-control study, conducted over several decades, analyzed the incidence of PD among individuals living in southern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. Using data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project (REP), researchers identified 419 cases of PD and matched them with 5,113 control participants. These individuals were assessed based on their proximity to 139 golf courses within a 27-county region. The study aimed to determine whether living near golf courses increased the odds of developing Parkinson’s disease, particularly when combined with potential water contamination from local groundwater.

Key Findings: The Risk of Living Near a Golf Course

The study revealed striking findings:

1. Proximity and Increased Risk of PD: The greatest risk of developing Parkinson’s disease was found among individuals living within 1 to 3 miles of a golf course. In fact, those living within 1 mile had a 126% increased likelihood of developing PD compared to those living more than 6 miles away. The risk gradually decreased as the distance from the golf course increased.
2. Water Service Areas with Golf Courses: Participants who lived in areas where the local water service included golf courses had nearly double the risk of developing PD compared to those in areas without golf courses. This suggests that groundwater contamination from pesticide runoff may be a significant factor.
3. Groundwater Vulnerability: The association between living near a golf course and the risk of PD was amplified in regions where groundwater was more vulnerable to contamination. These areas, typically characterized by shallow bedrock or coarse-textured soils, are more prone to pesticides leaching into the water supply.
4. Airborne Pesticide Exposure: While the study primarily focused on groundwater, the researchers also noted the potential for airborne pesticide exposure, especially in urban areas where higher population density around golf courses could lead to increased pesticide exposure in the air.

What This Means for Public Health

The study emphasizes the need for stricter regulations on pesticide use near residential areas, particularly in vulnerable groundwater regions.

In urban areas, where the proximity to golf courses is higher, this study suggests a need for more research on airborne pesticide exposure. Furthermore, policies that address water contamination and monitor pesticide levels in groundwater could be critical in reducing the risk of Parkinson's disease for residents in affected areas.

Expert Opinion

Dr. Brittany Krzyzanowski, the study’s lead author, emphasized that the results provide compelling evidence linking environmental exposures—specifically pesticide use on golf courses—with a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. “Our research underscores the importance of considering environmental factors in the development of neurodegenerative diseases,” Dr. Krzyzanowski stated. “We need stronger public health efforts to reduce exposure to pesticides, particularly for individuals living in close proximity to golf courses and vulnerable water systems.”

Public health experts agree that this study could be a turning point in how we address environmental health risks. "This is an important step forward in understanding the broader environmental causes of Parkinson's disease," said Dr. E. Ray Dorsey, a co-author of the study and a prominent neurologist. "We hope that these findings will spark further research and policy changes aimed at reducing pesticide exposure."

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For more information, read the full study on JAMA Network Open.

Original Study Authors: Brittany Krzyzanowski, PhD; Aidan F. Mullan, MA; E. Ray Dorsey, MD; Sai Shivani Chirag, MS; Pierpaolo Turcano, MD; Emanuele Camerucci, MD; James H. Bower, MD; Rodolfo Savica, MD, PhD