environmental toxin

Exposure to certain toxic airborne chemicals used in industry significantly increases — by up to six times — the odds of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a study suggests. Findings underscore the importance of surveillance programs testing exposure to these airborne pollutants, especially among populations at risk. The study,…

Occupational exposure to lead — a heavy metal — prior to disease onset is associated with a more severe disease progression and lower survival among people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a recent study. “In survival analysis of an international cohort [group] of ALS cases, our results…

Exposure to certain toxic compounds — including beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), formaldehyde, and heavy metals like manganese, mercury, and zinc — increases the likelihood of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to a review paper. Its authors argue that with BMAA — a toxic compound made by algae — enough evidence…

Younger cycad seeds can contain more toxins than older seeds, and their widespread consumption by people on occupied Guam during World War II could be the environmental origin of the rare sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cluster found there, according to a recent study. Guam residents emerged from their wartime…

A toxin produced by algae may contribute to the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by lowering the stability of a protein in the brain, a new study suggests. Titled “β-Methylamino-L-alanine substitution of serine in SOD1 suggests a direct role in ALS etiology,” the study was…