On Sunday 4th April the BBC1 Countryfile programme transmitted an item about Paraquat and Parkinson’s. This issue has been known about for some time as farmers around the world who were exposed to Paraquat and other pesticides, appear to have a higher incidence of developing Parkinson’s.

The following is an extract of an article from BBC News:

Some British farmers are calling for a ban on the UK production of toxic weedkiller Paraquat, saying studies suggest it could be a factor in the onset of Parkinson’s Disease. It comes as hundreds of US farm workers pursue a legal case against its manufacturer, alleging it knew the risk and failed to warn them. 

Andy Pollard was once a farm manager who could leap into his tractor cab. But now his limbs are rigid and his body contorts with spasms. He has advanced Parkinson’s Disease, and can no longer control his own movements. He spent decades spraying herbicides on his land and, unaware of any danger, didn’t use protective equipment.

Paraquat was first manufactured in the UK in the early 1960s and is sold globally – 377 companies have registered it for sale. It is one of the world’s most popular and effective herbicides, millions of farmers have used it to kill weeds. But it is also one of the most dangerous and has caused thousands of poisoning deaths. Its manufacturer Syngenta says claims of a link between Paraquat and Parkinson’s are not supported by scientific evidence, stating it has undergone more than 1,200 safety studies.

Parkinson’s Disease is believed to be the world’s fastest-growing neurological condition. It affects neurons in a specific area of the brain called the substantia nigra. It is degenerative, gradually leading to tremors and stiffness in the limbs. Global studies show rural, agricultural areas often have higher rates of the disease.

Paraquat has not been authorised for use in the EU since a court ruling in 2007. That is still the case in the UK after Brexit but it is still made – under the brand name Gramoxone – at Syngenta’s plant in Huddersfield. It is exported to countries such as the US, Japan and Australia, with a fifth of exports going to the developing world.

In the US, nearly 900 farmers and field workers have joined forces to sue the manufacturer, claiming not only is there a link between Paraquat and Parkinson’s, but that Syngenta has deliberately hidden the health risks from the authorities. Syngenta rejects the claims made in the remaining multidistrict litigation case, which is due to come to court later this year. The company’s most recent financial statement shows that the company has already paid $187.5m into a settlement fund. But it said the company believes that all of these claims are without merit and the payment is simply to keep the claims from going any further.

Toxicologist Prof Jon Heylings worked for Syngenta and its predecessor companies for more than 20 years. After retiring, he turned whistleblower, and has given evidence as an expert witness in the US legal action. There is no scientific consensus and many conflicting studies on any possible association between Paraquat and Parkinson’s.

In the US, a 17-year-long study found Paraquat contributed to Parkinson’s onset and progression. And research by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences – part of the US Department of Health – found people who used Paraquat developed Parkinson’s two-and-a-half times more often than non-users. But the US regulator, the Environmental Protection Agency, says an updated study couldn’t replicate those results and no clear link was found.

But there are scientists who believe Syngenta is putting profit before product safety and public health. Prof Heylings has a Syngenta regulatory strategy document from 2003 written while Paraquat was still being used by UK farmers. Its author acknowledges a growing number of studies “citing a correlation between incidence of Parkinson’s Disease and herbicide use, including Paraquat”.

He explains: “Syngenta are trying to influence researchers who are working on Paraquat and also influence the direction of the research because the last thing Syngenta wants is a big blow up on Parkinson’s. So the strategy was to downplay anything to do with the potential neurotoxicity of Paraquat that could lead to Parkinson’s.”

In a statement, Syngenta said it had invested hundreds of millions of dollars over the product lifetime to ensure its safety.

“Paraquat has been the subject of more than 1,200 safety studies submitted to, and reviewed by, regulatory authorities around the world. Recent thorough reviews performed by the most advanced and science-based regulatory authorities including the United States and Australia continue to support the view that Paraquat is safe.”

Jane Rideout was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2008, she worked in IT management and sales and marketing roles. In 2013, Jane began volunteering for Parkinson’s UK, with volunteer roles including peer support, hosting Parkinson’s UK’s First Steps programme and being a local support group coordinator. Jane became involved with the Parkinson’s UK Excellence Network in 2015, and became the Regional Lead of the South West Peninsular Excellence Network in 2017. She actively promotes exercise for people with Parkinson’s.

Jane expands: “I hoped that my experience of living with Parkinson’s, and having no healthcare background, could offer a different perspective”.

During lockdown Jane started the ‘Live Well with Parkinson’s’ project, which comprises regular online talks by guest speakers and discussion groups.

Full details of past sessions and future talks can be found here – www.livewellwithparkinsons.uk

But to whet your whistle here is an example of what’s coming on 12^th April:

Cure Parkinson’s : Research Update
Tuesday 12th April at 18:30 

Cure Parkinson’s has a goal.

“Curing Parkinson’s needs world-class collaborative science involving researchers, clinicians, the pharmaceutical industry and, most importantly, people who are living with Parkinson’s. This collaboration is at the heart of our research programme.

Our leadership and funding enables the world’s leading neuroscientists and neurologists to prioritise, together, the next generation of drugs for clinical trial. We’re acting with urgency, for people currently living with Parkinson’s, with a focus on research which has potential to translate into the clinic within five years.”

Helen Matthews, Deputy CEO, Cure Parkinson’s will talk about the work of Cure Parkinson’s. She will explain the approach to research that is being adopted, and about some of the specific research projects.

There will be time for questions.

BOOK ON THE WEBINAR

Parkinson’s Art is a registered, non-profit organisation run by artists and writers living with Parkinson’s Disease. It is a voluntary initiative with 100% of every donation and funds raised going directly to Parkinson’s charities and supporting arts projects within the community. Parkinson’s Art works closely with Parkinson’s UK as well as supporting other Parkinson’s related organisations.

It is the brainchild of Trevor Woollard who set up the website in August 2020, deciding that a showcase was required to celebrate the talents of people living with Parkinson’s and raise awareness of the condition.  It  has very quickly expanded and is open to all in the UK as well as internationally.  It not only features art, but also poetry, creative writing and photography. We also hold poetry and art competitions throughout the year as well as free academies.

This year we held our first exhibition at the OXO Tower in London, which was a great success and far exceeded our expectations. We also raised a good sum of money for Parkinson’s UK by holding a silent auction for all of the artwork on dsiplay.

Our aim is to:

• Promote the benefits of art to those affected by Parkinson’s Disease
• Provide a platform to collaborate and share artwork
• Showcase Parkinson’s art and raise awareness through exhibitions and events

Art can really have a positive impact on people’s health, whether it be mentally or physically. It allows us to focus on something positive and escape temporarily. Painting acts as a therapy that reduces stress and anxiety and activates our brain’s reward centre. It enhances the lives of people with Parkinson’s through creativity, fun and self-expression, and we are passionate about using our creative skills to make a difference and you don’t have to be a trained artist to give it a go.

Our mission is to inspire and develop creativity across the Parkinson’s community and we are eager to expand our message throughout . We are always looking for opportunities where we can provide demonstrations, group participation events and even exhibitions to showcase our work. We truly believe that any form of art is good for your wellbeing!

Please feel free to check out our website : https://www.parkinsons.art/

Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson’s in the UK. 

We know that exercise can help manage symptoms and to slow symptom progression so we want to STAND UP to Parkinson’s by coming together to do a collective 145,000 sit to stands over the course of January 2022.

Fighting Fit is supporting the challenge that was thrown down by the Neuro Heroes team but we need all the help we can get from the Parkinson’s community and everyone connected to it!

It doesn’t matter if you do 1 or 100 sit to stands each day, everyone around the UK is invited to join in for this cumulative effort and achievement! We’re in it together …..

Here is a short video about the challenge.

Please fill in this quick registration form to take part.

Once signed up you will be sent an email with details of how to input your sit to stand numbers so that they can be added to the tally. And, of course, the Neuro Heroes team will let you know how all your efforts are paying off to help us reach the shared target.

Please register and join in.