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This research endeavor to connect with experts and share information to safeguard other public safety personnel
from long term neurological degenerative disease due to occupational exposures has been very humbling and trying.
A 1990 study of Houston fire fighters indicated that Parkinsonism was significantly more common in fire fighters
than in the general population. This was demonstrated by a finding of 3-4 cases per 1,000 in the general population compared
to 30 Parkinson's cases per 1,000 firefighters.
Parkinsonism include: carbon monoxide, carbon disulfide, and manganese. Occupational
exposure to other metals (copper, lead, iron, mercury, zinc, and aluminum) appears to impart risk for Parkinson's disease
in some studies.The study also listed other chemical compounds such as wood preservatives, organic solvents, plastics, and
pesticides.
"Parkinsonism" is a term that is often used interchangeably with Parkinson's disease. Medically, Parkinsonism refers to any
condition that causes symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease tremors at rest, muscle rigidity, slow movement and changes
in walking. Parkinsons disease is probably the most common form of Parkinsonism. Other conditions that cause it include:
Medications such as reserpine, Thorazine
Toxic exposures to carbon monoxide, cyanide
Hypothyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism
A variety of other neurologic conditions affecting the nerves in the substantia nigra such as Wilson's disease (a condition
causing abnormal deposition of copper in the brain) and progressive supranuclear palsy
Learn more about other causes of Parkinson's.
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