For a while now researchers have been finding that certain environmental chemical exposures are linked to the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is commonly called Lou Gehrig's disease. Frequent exposure to pesticides and heavy metal and VOC exposure in solvents (e.g., in woodworking) are linked to ALS.
A recent study found that storing chemicals such as gasoline, kerosene, gasoline-powered equipment, lawn care pesticides, paint, and woodworking chemicals in an attached home garage is also linked to a higher risk for ALS. These are toxic chemicals that are volatile - get into the air.
The researchers felt that not only did the persons with ALS have a history of exposure by working with the chemicals, the chemicals also leach into the air when stored in the home (the attached garage). Every time the door to the garage is opened, the chemicals in the garage air rush into the home.
Earlier studies found higher amounts of pesticides in people with ALS, as well as faster disease progression. Certain pesticides show up repeatedly in studies, including 2,4-D, glyphosate, carbaryl, and chlorpyrifos. Note that 2,4-D is in popular feed and weed products (and was in Agent Orange), and glyphosate is in the commonly used Roundup.
ALS is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease. There is progressive loss of motor neurons, the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement and breathing.
From Science Daily: Chemicals stored in home garages linked to ALS risk
Over the last decade, researchers at University of Michigan continue to find that exposure to environmental toxins -- from pesticides used in agriculture to volatile organic compounds in the manufacturing industry -- is linked to the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
The buildup of exposures, which researchers call the ALS exposome, is possibly associated with recreational activities such as woodworking and gardening.
Now, a Michigan Medicine study finds that storing chemicals in a garage at home may associate with an increased risk of ALS.
"Exposures in the home setting are an important part of the ALS exposome, as it is one place where behavior modifications could possibly lessen ALS risk."
Storage containing volatile chemicals in garages is extremely common, whether it's in a car or motorcycle, equipment like a chainsaw, or solvents, cleaners, paints and other items.
Investigators assessed exposures in the residential setting from a survey of more than 600 participants both with and without ALS.
Through statistical analysis, they found that the storage of chemicals -- including gasoline and gasoline powered equipment, lawn care products, pesticides, paint and woodworking supplies -- were significantly associated with ALS risk. All of the reported chemicals linked to disease development were volatile with toxic components.
Most participants reported storing several of the items in their attached garage. Storing chemicals in a detached garage, however, did not show as strong of an association with risk.
Researchers say the flow of air and airborne pollutants from attached garages to the living space may explain the finding.
"Especially in colder climates, air in the garage tends to rush into the house when the entry door is opened, and air flows occur more or less continuously through small cracks and openings in walls and floors," said Stuart Batterman, Ph.D., senior author and professor of environmental health science at the U-M School of Public Health. "Thus, it makes sense that keeping volatile chemicals in an attached garage shows the stronger effect."
The latest building codes, Batterman notes, tackle this problem by specifying measures to reduce or eliminate these air flows.
"We are beginning to see risk factors across multiple settings that may associate with a greater ALS risk; we also see some relationships across the studies, for example, woodworking and woodworking supplies and gardening and lawn care supplies," Goutman said.
"This begs the question: is it the activities that associate with ALS risk or the exposures to related products? This requires further research."
In 2016, the research team found that people with ALS had higher concentrations of pesticides in their blood compared to people without the condition. A subsequent study published in 2019 linked organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBS, to worsening survival for ALS.