Study: Materials stored in home garages are linked to the risk of the deadly “Stephen Hawking” disease

United States – Over the past decade, researchers have linked exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides used in agriculture, to the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Now, a new study from the University of Michigan Medicine has found that cumulative exposure to environmental toxins, which researchers call the ALS exposome, through storing the chemicals in home garages may be linked to an increased risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is known as a disease that affects the nervous system and affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

The famous physicist Stephen Hawking was the most famous among those suffering from this disease, which causes loss of muscle control necessary for movement, speech, eating, and even breathing, and its symptoms get worse over time. There is no cure for this disease, and it ultimately causes death.

Storage involving volatile chemicals in the garage is very common, including equipment such as a saw or solvent, cleaners, paints, and other items.

The researchers evaluated exposure in the residential environment through a survey of more than 600 participants, both with and without ALS.

Through statistical analysis, they found that storing chemicals, including gasoline-powered equipment, lawn care products, pesticides, paint, and woodworking supplies, was significantly associated with ALS risk.

All reported chemicals associated with disease development were volatile and contained toxic components. Most participants reported storing many items in a garage attached to the home, however, storing chemicals in a separate garage did not show a strong association with risk.

The researchers say airflow and airborne pollutants from garages attached to the living space may explain this finding.

“Especially in cold climates, the air in the garage tends to rush into the house when the entry door is opened, and the air flow occurs more or less continuously through Small cracks and openings in walls and floors. “Therefore, it stands to reason that keeping volatile chemicals in an attached garage would show the strongest effect.”

Source: Medical Express