Clustering of Parkinson's disease points to environmental etiology

Thirteen cases of Parkinson's disease, a degenerative disease of the nervous system, developed among the residents of three kibbutzim in southern Israel, which reflects a five times greater incidence than observed in the surrounding region. Parkinson's disease has many suggested causes, but in all cases the symptoms are the same. These clusters found in Israel suggest a common environmental causative factor such as the drinking water, since these three kibbutzim have used the same aquifer for many years. The source of ground water contamination may be a waste disposal site located near one kibbutz. When the water was examined and compared with other sources, a high level of aluminum was found, along with smaller excess quantities of iron and manganese. The local soil contained excess concentrations of beryllium, chromium, europium, manganese, and ytterbium. Two of the commonly used agricultural chemicals in the region, Maneb (which contains manganese) and Paraquat, have been associated with Parkinsonism in the past. Further measurement and study of local water and air contaminants are needed to clarify the cause of these cases of Parkinson's disease, and to prevent additional cases from developing. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Clustering of Parkinson's Disease Points to Environmental Etiology PARKINSON'S DISEASE is a common, slowly progressive affliction of older persons, for which, despite several known causes, there is no general etiology. [...]