Recently, researchers on Atypical Parkinsonisms investigated causality between organic solvent exposure and multiple system atrophy, a rare form of atypical Parkinsonism.

These researchers noted that only one case-control study had been done of this rare disease and that the study showed an increased risk of occupational exposure to organic solvents, as well as plastic monomers, pesticides, and metals -- all substances which involve the use of organic solvents. Due to environmental pollution, exposure at work, industrial accidents or other causes, chemicals end up in our food and drink, the soil and water around us, even in the air we breathe.

Toxins that attack the nervous system in particular are called neurotoxins. Some of these chemicals can cause serious brain damage if victims are exposed to large quantities or exposed regularly. The following are some all-too-common toxic chemicals: Carbon monoxide is a chemical found in smoke, car exhaust and the exhaust of other machines. People are commonly exposed to carbon monoxide from generators, furnaces or cars in a room without enough ventilation; some are exposed when trapped inside a burning building. Survivors of carbon monoxide poisoning may have depression, dementia, trouble with motor skills, speech disturbances, loss of short-term memory and Parkinson's disease-like symptoms.

These are in addition to non-neurological symptoms. Lead mimics minerals that the body needs to function; the effect is lead poisoning. Lead poisoning is most common in children young enough to put inappropriate things in their mouths, who live in buildings with lead paint. It may also affect people exposed to leaded gasoline and those who are exposed through work or living near a factory. Lead poisoning reduces IQ and causes learning disabilities, insomnia, lethargy or hyperactivity, irritability, seizures and coma. It also affects the digestive system, the kidneys and reproductive organs. Pesticides are poisons meant to kill household and agricultural pests. Farm workers are at especially high risk for chronic pesticide exposure. Though aimed at insects, some pesticides (organophosphates) are close relatives of nerve agents, neurotoxins used by the military and by terrorists.

Recent research has linked pesticide exposure to Parkinson's Disease and hyperactivity, as well as muscle and respiratory weakness, blurred vision, memory problems confusion, and at high enough levels, organ failure. Solvents are chemical solutions with a variety of purposes -- ammonia, benzene, dry cleaning chemicals band detergents are all solvents. Used in industrial processes, solvents don't break down easily and thus can contaminate the environment for decades after they're released. Though many are useful to humans, they can be highly hazardous, causing loss of consciousness, headaches, confusion, dementia, balance problems, loss of vision, memory problems and attention deficit.

These are just some of the more common of the many chemicals and elements that can cause serious neurological problems in human beings who are overexposed to them. Scientists have amassed a growing body of evidence that long-term exposure to toxic compounds, particularly pesticides, can destroy neurons and trigger Parkinson’s in some people. Now, with Parkinson’s, this medical detective work has edged closer to proving the case than with almost any other human ailment. In most patients, scientists say, Parkinson’s is a disease with environmental origins. Scientists are “definitely there, beyond a doubt, in showing that environmental toxicants have to be involved” in some cases of Parkinson’s disease, said Freya Kamel, an epidemiologist with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences who has documented a high rate of neurological problems. “It’s not one nasty thing that is causing this disease. I think it’s exposure to a combination of many environmental chemicals over a lifetime. We just don’t know what those chemicals are yet, but we certainly have our suspicions.”