"ST. LOUIS -- High levels of manganese and copper pollution in urban areas are linked to increased risk of Parkinson's disease, according to an analysis of 35,000 Parkinson's patients by scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

The research team found that people living in areas with higher levels of manganese pollution had a 78 percent greater risk of Parkinson's disease than those living in areas free of such pollution.

High levels of copper in the environment increased the risk of Parkinson's disease by 11 percent."

Environment News Service had the story November 2, 2010. [2]