People in the USA who live within a radius of one mile of a golf course have a significantly higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. This is illustrated by a study by the Barrow Neurological Institute in Arizona, which was published in Jama Network Open.
The researchers analysed data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project, which includes health data from residents in 27 counties in Wisconsin and Minnesota. A total of 419 Parkinson’s cases and 5,113 control subjects were studied. The results showed that people who lived within three miles of a golf course had an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Specifically, the risk was 126% higher for those who lived within one mile compared to those who lived more than six miles away.
It was also found that people whose drinking water supply was connected to a golf course had almost twice the risk of Parkinson’s disease. In areas with particularly susceptible groundwater, such as shallow rock or permeable soil, the risk was even higher.
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News & trends about sustainability in golf
US government discusses pesticide use
In principle, significantly more pesticides are permitted for use on golf courses in the USA than in Europe. However, there is currently a heated debate within the US government about further restrictions. While the EPA, as the authority responsible for the approval of chemicals, is tending towards a milder approach of the approval of chemicals with the Trump administration taking office, the Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy wants to ban many pesticides because he considers them to be a health risk. This includes, for example, the herbicide atrazine, which is no longer permitted in Europe; in the USA, it is considered a “restricted use pesticide”, meaning that it may only be used by specialists and on a limited basis. It is currently unclear to what extent the pesticide regulations in the USA will ultimately be changed. The German epidemiologist Prof. Dr. Beate Ritz, professor at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and a specialist in environmental and occupational health issues, also points to the links between pesticide use and an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Limitations of the study
However, it is also important to note that the Arizona study found a correlation, but not causality, between proximity to golf courses and the risk of Parkinson’s disease. Other factors, such as genetic predisposition or other environmental factors, could also play a role. Furthermore, the participants’ previous places of residence were not taken into account and their exposure to neurotoxins at work did not play a role either.
How is the golf industry reacting?
For the golf industry, however, the publication means the discussion about pesticides will continue. Since numerous major international media outlets have reported extensively on Arizona’s scientific findings since they became known, it can also be assumed that golf will suffer damage to its image.
