title: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and exposure to environmental toxins: an Australian case-control study.
abstract: It has been suggested that environmental toxins could be risk factors for sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (SALS). We therefore analysed epidemiological data on 179 SALS cases and 179 age-, ethnicity- and sex-matched controls in Australia using self-reporting questionnaires. SALS was associated with solvent/chemical exposure (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.26-2.93), overall herbicide/pesticide exposure (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.03-2.41) and industrial herbicide/pesticide exposure (OR = 5.58, 95% CI: 2.07-15.06). Exposure to herbicides/pesticides showed a dose-response effect. All positive findings were more statistically significant in males. These findings support those from northern hemisphere studies, indicating that environmental toxins can be risk factors for SALS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Julia M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Morahan
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pamphlett
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D010575:Pesticides; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012997:Solvents
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances; D008670:Metals; D010575:Pesticides; D012997:Solvents