Study Finds Correlation Between Air Pollution and Parkinson’s Disease

Air quality index updates. Picture taken in Point Park on Lookout Mtn.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- A new study is suggesting there is a correlation between bad air quality and Parkinson’s Disease.

The Barrow Neurological Institute says they have found that areas that have higher rates of air pollution have a 56 percent higher chance to develop Parkinson’s Disease.

For Chattanooga specifically, their results found that residents here are 26 percent more likely to develop Parkinson’s.

They say that Parkinson’s is a slow developing disease that could have roots in historical air pollution, which Chattanooga is of interest to them.

Dr. Brittany Krzyzanowski, a researcher and geographer for the Institute, said, “Chattanooga is historically known for having for a lot industrial air pollution in the 1960s and that actually makes it a more relevant exposure for us.”

The following counties in the News 12 area are highlighted in this study as being problematic for this casuation:

ALABAMA:

• Jackson
• DeKalb

GEORGIA:

• Catoosa
• Dade
• Walker

TENNESSEE:

• Bledsoe
• Bradley
• Grundy
• Hamilton
• Marion
• Meigs
• Rhea
• Sequatchie

Every other county is not designated in a causation category.