title: Impact of dietary exposure to food contaminants on the risk of Parkinson's disease.
abstract: This study aimed to investigate the association of Parkinson's disease (PD) with dietary exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and methylmercury (MeHg) in a community with increased exposure levels. A total of 79 clinically verified idiopathic PD cases and 154 controls matched by sex and age were examined in this case-control study in the Faroe Islands. Blood and hair samples were collected and a questionnaire recorded lifetime information on residence, dietary habits, smoking history, and occupational exposure to solvents, pesticides, and metals. Both unconditional and conditional logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) in regard to relevant exposure variables. Increased ORs for dietary intakes of whale meat and blubber during adult life were statistically significant. The ORs for occupational exposure to solvents, pesticides and metals also suggested an increased risk for PD. Current serum concentrations of summation operator PCB and related contaminants suggested slightly increased ORs, although only beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (beta-HCH) was statistically significant. Increased intake of whale meat and blubber in adult life was significantly associated with PD, thus suggesting a positive association between previous exposure to marine food contaminants and development of PD.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, Environmental Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Winslowparken 17, Odense C, Denmark. mskaalum@health.sdu.dk
authors.forename: Maria Skaalum
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Jónrit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Halling
authors.forename: Sára
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bech
authors.forename: Lene
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wermuth
authors.forename: Pál
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weihe
authors.forename: Flemming
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Poul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.forename: Esben
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Budtz-Jørgensen
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grandjean
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D012306:Risk; D012737:Sex Factors