NEW DELHI New Delhi: Health experts said on Tuesday that there is growing evidence to show a link between air pollution and the risk of Parkinson's disease.More than 10 million people worldwide suffer from Parkinson's disease. India alone accounts for nearly 10 per cent of the global burden of Parkinson's disease.A recent study published in JAMA Network Open showed that high levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were associated with an increased risk of Parkinson's.
“Yes, there is growing evidence that air pollution can increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease,” Dr Anshu Rohatgi, senior neurologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, told IANS. “Recent studies have shown that exposure to pollutants such as PM2.5 and NO2 can also worsen Parkinson's symptoms,” Rohatgi said. PM2.5 is a harmful substance that can enter the lungs and affect our health. It can come from natural sources such as volcanoes and deserts, or from human activities such as industry, cars, agriculture, domestic burning and climate change-related fires.
In addition to Parkinson's, PM2.5 has been linked to a variety of health problems, including asthma, decreased lung health, increased risk of cancer and heart disease, and diabetes and Alzheimer's. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends an annual average concentration of 5 micrograms per cubic meter of air (5 ug/m³) as very good air quality. However, 99 percent of the world's population lives in concentrations above this value.
Rohatgi said high levels of air pollution, especially in metropolitan areas, are associated with a greater risk of developing Parkinson's disease. For people who already have a diagnosis of Parkinson's, exposure to air pollution can speed up the disease's progression and make symptoms more severe. “Pollutants such as PM2.5 can cross the blood-brain barrier, causing inflammation and oxidative stress, which contribute to the development and progression of Parkinson's disease,” the expert said.
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