Overview
- Living within one mile of a golf course is associated with a 126% higher risk of Parkinson's disease compared to living more than six miles away.
- The study revealed a distance-based dose response, with each additional mile beyond three miles reducing Parkinson's odds by 13%.
- Residents in water service areas with golf courses face nearly double the risk of Parkinson’s, particularly in regions with vulnerable groundwater.
- The findings suggest exposure to pesticides used on golf courses through both groundwater contamination and airborne drift as possible contributors.
- Experts caution the study does not establish causation and highlights limitations, including reliance on residential proximity as a proxy for exposure.