Pesticide Exposure Linked to 60% Higher Risk of Motor Neurone Disease, Study Finds
Published on 08/05/2026 at 05:37 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
Workers exposed to pesticides in the course of their jobs face a significantly elevated risk of developing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Motor Neurone Disease, according to a major new analysis. The systematic review and meta-analysis, published in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine on August 4, found that occupational exposure to these chemicals was associated with a risk roughly 60% higher than for those without such exposure. The findings carry particular weight for UK employers in agriculture, horticulture, and pest control, where workers routinely handle these substances.
Risk Varies by Chemical Type and Exposure Level
The research shows that the level of risk depends heavily on the type of pesticide involved and how intensively a worker is exposed. Herbicides were linked to a 70% increased risk, while insecticides and fungicides were each associated with a rise of approximately 60%. The study also found that high-level exposure could triple the risk of developing the condition, and even low-level exposure was shown to double it.
The association was statistically significant in men, who displayed roughly twice the risk, but the data did not show a significant effect in women. Experts responding to the findings cautioned that the evidence, while suggestive, does not yet prove a direct causal link. They pointed to limitations in the research, including its reliance on self-reported exposure data and the absence of specific dosage information.
With the evidence on pesticide risks mounting, documenting exactly which hazardous substances your workers handle and how is more important than ever. A free COSHH toolkit provides 43 ready-to-use risk assessment templates, checklists, and toolbox talks to help you meet your legal duties under the COSHH regulations. Download the free COSHH Toolkit
UK Lords Call for Tighter Controls on Pet Flea Treatments
In a separate development, a House of Lords committee recommended on August 5 a more precautionary, risk-based approach to the use of flea and tick treatments for domestic pets. The recommendation followed evidence from Imperial College experts flagging the potential overuse of these products.
The concern centres on chemicals such as fipronil and imidacloprid, which were banned for agricultural use in 2018 but are now appearing in waterways at toxic levels attributed to pet treatments. With the UK pet population standing at approximately 10.6 million dogs and 10.8 million cats in 2024, and an estimated 30% of dog owners and 20% of cat owners using preventative treatments year-round, the cumulative environmental impact is significant.
HSE Faces December Deadline on Glyphosate
Regulators are currently weighing several high-profile pesticide approvals. In Great Britain, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has until December 15 to decide whether to renew the approval for glyphosate, the world's most widely used herbicide. UK use of the chemical has reportedly increased by 1,000% since 1990. A 60-day public consultation is planned before the final decision is reached.
Syngenta Halts Paraquat Production Amid Legal Pressure
In the corporate sector, Syngenta has confirmed it ceased production of paraquat at the end of June 2026. The company cited intense competition and the fact that the chemical accounted for less than 1% of its total sales. The decision comes against a backdrop of more than 8,000 pending lawsuits in the United States linking the chemical to Parkinson's disease.
Elsewhere, Bayer reported second-quarter EBITDA of €2.14 billion, a figure that exceeded market expectations. The performance was bolstered by sales of Dicamba, following a decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow its continued use despite previous restrictions.
With regulators tightening scrutiny on hazardous substances, many UK firms are realising their current risk assessments don't fully cover chemical exposure. The free Risk Assessment Toolkit gives you 41 ready-to-use templates covering fire safety, manual handling, first aid, and lone working — everything you need to keep your documentation compliant. Download the free Risk Assessment Toolkit
Global Concerns Over Pesticide Management
Recent reports have also highlighted the environmental and safety impacts of pesticide management internationally:
- Kenya: Conservation groups reported the deaths of 15 elephants in the Amboseli ecosystem between late June and late July 2026, attributed to cyanide originating from pesticides. Authorities noted that over 28,000 kg of illegal pesticides were seized during the 2024/25 period.
- Australia: The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) faced criticism after proposing a 500-fold increase in the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) for isocycloseram on berries.
- India: An ICRIER report indicated that the European Union issued over 200 alerts regarding Indian rice consignments for pesticide violations between 2021 and 2025.
- Tanzania: Industry players defended the country's horticultural exports following a 2025 study which found pesticide residues in 48% of samples from the Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions. Tanzanian authorities had previously withdrawn 675 pesticides in early January 2026.
