A new study examined living near a golf course and the risk of Parkinson’s disease.  The study based their data on the disease from the Rochester Epidemiology Project.  Compared to those living more than 6 miles from a golf course, those living within 1 mile had a 126% increased risk. 

The authors comment on several previous studies which have shown high levels of pesticides in the drinking water around golf courses.  One study found that the groundwater under 4 different golf courses in Cape Cod was contaminated with 7 different pesticides.  The levels of one pesticide were 200 times greater than guidance levels for drinking water.

Previous studies have examined proximity to farming and the rate of Parkinson’s disease.  Comparing living in counties with the highest and lowest farm-related pesticide use, researchers found that the former was associated with a 36% greater risk.  Looking at which pesticides were associated with risk, the herbicide atrazine and the insecticide simazine were most associated with risk.

Parkinson’s disease risk is highly related to exposure to chemicals such as pesticides.  Eating organic at least prevents direct food contamination.  Ground water exposure is a different story.  A reverse osmosis water filter is 79-99% effective in removing pesticides from water.  That may be an important protection in riskier localities.  Given the extensive farmland and the roughly 16,000 golf courses in the U.S. a vast population may be at risk.

Krzyzanowsk et al.  PROXIMITY TO GOLF COURSES AND RISK OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE.  JAMA Network Open. 2025;8(5):e259198.

Yitshak et al. PARKINSON’S DISEASE PREVALENCE AND PROXIMITY TO AGRICULTURAL CULTIVATED FIELDS. Parkinsons Dis. 2015;2015:576564.

Lapadat et al. APPLICATION OF SIMAZINE, ATRAZINE, AND LINDANE PESTICIDES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH INCIDENT PARKINSON’S DISEASE RISK IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION. 2024 American Association of Neurologists Annual Meeting.