Early exposure to chemicals, how is one to know
With respect to a recently posted article, -As a young technician in the computer industry in the 70’s exposed to TCE, a cleaner. And, Paraquat. In late 80’s as a field surveyor, I had no idea what effect they would have. I am now 68 and diagnosed with PD just over 3 years.
Is it possible that there was an accumulation over 3-8 years of these chemicals in particular 30 years ago that would have caused my PD now.? Hard to believe. My dad had PD. So with all of these “opportunities “ , it seems, looking back, the cards were stacked against me.
I have not kept in touch with any acquaintances from my past. ( who might have had similar exposures )So, I have no reference to what the reality is.
How were we supposed to know? and, what other “newer “ chemicals are being introduced whose effects won’t be known for another 20-30 years?
Feedback alway welcome.
Hello Jeff t, I'm not sure if you were referring to the following article that was recently posted on our site?https://parkinsonsdisease.net/living/eliminating-pesticides
If so, sorry for the duplication. If not, hopefully it would provides some answers to your questions. Please let us know if we can help you further. Best Regards, Suzanne Troy, Advocate, ParkinsonsDisease.net
Hi Jeff, I was exposed to TCE decades ago so I was asking the same question. The answer is yes; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29270919/ Although my own PD was induced by silica nanoparticles it's possible that the TCE may also have played a role in mutagenesis.
I definitely think it's not only possible, but likely, that chemical or combination of chemical exposure is at least partially responsible for causing PD. I also agree that odds were more stacked against you in the face of genetic mutation.
I would surmise that such exposure would cause PD early on, only giving the appearance of taking years to develop, since symptoms generally appear after significant neuronal loss.
In my case, I suspect that working with fenthion in the first 3 years as a veterinary professional is a factor. I always wore latex gloves when applying it, but the fumes were quite strong. I have worked with a number of insecticides over the years, as have my colleagues, so why am I the only one I know to develop YOPD? I've been tested for genetic mutations through at least 2 different parties with none detected, although I realize there could still be some sort of genetic predisposition. Maybe it's just a perfect storm of multiple factors that are particular only to me. Like you said, how was I supposed to know?
Thanks to all of you who cited links on this intriguing subject. I plan to read them soon. I'm still searching for any articles that make a connection to fenthion exposure. I also wonder about the multiple Rabies vaccines I received around the same time frame. Due to an outbreak in my area that lasted a few years, plus an exposure at the hospital where I was employed, I received multiple boosters over a period of 5-7 years, 4 of which were within a 6 month period. One veterinarian I worked with suggested I check a titer before getting another booster; she indicated there was a possibility of neurological side effects with too many vaccines. My titer was ridiculously high, 1:7000; adequate immunity is achieved at 1:5. Some 15 years later, it was still well beyond adequate, something like 2800. I'll probably get another titer in the next couple of years, just out of sheer curiosity.
