Recent research has established a troubling connection between mining fossil fuels and an elevated risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A study published in *Environmental Research* has identified long-term exposure to sulfur dioxide, a pollutant generated from the combustion of coal and oil-based fuels, as a potential contributor to the onset of this neurodegenerative disease.
The investigation was sparked by observations made by healthcare professionals at an ALS clinic in New Brunswick, Canada, who noted a rising number of ALS cases in their patient base. Daniel Saucier, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Sherbrooke in Quebec and lead author of the study, reflected on the urgent need for answers. “If there’s so many cases in New Brunswick, you know, what’s going on? What’s causing it?” In the midst of his master’s research on ALS diagnostic methods, Saucier sought to uncover the underlying causes of the disease.
To conduct the study, Saucier and his team compared 304 individuals diagnosed with ALS to a control group of 1,207 healthy participants matched for age and sex. They estimated the subjects’ exposure to pollutants based on historical environmental data linked to their home addresses.
The researchers undertook a quantitative analysis of pollution levels at the participants’ residences. Notably, Saucier remarked, “And sure enough, it turned out that it looked like air pollution was potentially related to the increased cases of ALS in New Brunswick, with sulfur dioxide appearing to be the one that had a significant association with ALS.”
The findings revealed that subjects exposed to higher levels of sulfur dioxide had a 23% increased likelihood of being diagnosed with ALS later in life. It is important to note that the study highlighted a correlation but did not establish a definitive causal relationship.
Despite the implications of the findings, it remains uncertain if specific regions are exhibiting elevated sulfur dioxide levels or what factors might be contributing to such increases. The research focused on sulfur dioxide concentrations prior to the onset of ALS symptoms, as compared to levels recorded in the years preceding an ALS diagnosis.
High concentrations of sulfur dioxide can be generated by various mining activities and the use of fossil fuels, including coal combustion and diesel-operated machinery, as noted by Saucier. He stated, “There might be some local concentrations that are high in the area.”
While all the regions analyzed in the study adhered to Canada’s air quality standards, the researchers underscored the necessity for further investigations. Future studies are needed to develop effective prevention strategies and enhance regulatory measures to protect public health from air pollution.
Saucier highlighted the ultimate goal: “At the end of the day, if we’re truly to get to a safe level of no pollution, combustion will have to eventually cease to be our primary method of making energy and make way for new technology.”
This research sheds light on a critical public health issue, emphasizing the pressing need for further studies into the environmental factors linked to ALS. The insights could pave the way for improved regulatory policies aimed at reducing air pollution exposure, safeguarding future generations from this debilitating condition.
Contributions to this report were made by Dr. Noor Shaik, a neurology resident physician and member of the ABC News Medical Unit, providing expert insights on the implications of the study’s findings.
