A recent U.S. study has found a significant association between living near golf courses and an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD), likely due to pesticide exposure. The research, based on data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project in Minnesota, revealed that individuals living within one mile of a golf course had 126% higher odds of developing PD compared to those living more than six miles away.
Golf courses are known for their intensive pesticide use, often applying chemicals at rates much higher than in agriculture. Prior studies have linked these chemicals, such as paraquat and rotenone, to Parkinson-like neurodegeneration. The risk may stem from both airborne exposure and contamination of drinking water, particularly in areas with vulnerable groundwater systems like those with karst geology.
The study included 419 individuals with PD and over 5,000 matched controls, analyzing home addresses up to three years before symptom onset. Researchers found a dose-response relationship: the closer a person lived to a golf course, the greater their risk of PD. Additionally, individuals relying on groundwater sources near golf courses had nearly twice the risk of PD compared to those using private wells or areas without nearby courses.
While the study cannot confirm causation, it raises important public health questions. Experts emphasize the need to reconsider the widespread use of pesticides for aesthetic purposes on golf courses. Dr. Michael Okun of the University of Florida called the findings a “hidden hazard” and urged deeper scrutiny of how such environmental exposures may silently impact neurological health.
The researchers acknowledged limitations, including the study’s geographic and demographic scope, and the inability to assess genetic or occupational risk factors. Nonetheless, the findings underscore the importance of evaluating environmental contributors to neurodegenerative disease.
