ALS Risk Factors: An Evidence-Based Self-Assessment Tool
This tool presents a compilation of potential risk and protective factors associated with ALS as identified in published scientific literature. This self-assessment tool is designed to help individuals explore their potential exposures to these factors. Users can review various environmental factors, daily items, and activities potentially associated with ALS risk. Each factor is linked to relevant peer-reviewed research papers, providing the scientific basis for its inclusion. It's important to note that the presence of these factors does not necessarily indicate causation or guarantee the development of ALS. This tool aims to provide evidence-based information to support patient awareness and facilitate discussions with healthcare providers. Users should interpret the results in consultation with medical professionals, as the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors in ALS development remains an active area of research.
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Agricultural work
Home gardening with pesticide use
Proximity to pesticide-treated areas
Melanie Engstrom Newell et al. Systematic and state-of the science review of the role of environmental factors in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's Disease. The Science of the total environment, 2022
Stephen A Goutman et al. The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis exposome: recent advances and future directions. Nature reviews. Neurology, 2023
Stephen A Goutman et al. Residential exposure associations with ALS risk, survival, and phenotype: a Michigan-based case-control study. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & frontotemporal degeneration, 2024
Diane B Re et al. A perspective on persistent toxicants in veterans and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: identifying exposures determining higher ALS risk. Journal of neurology, 2022
Feng-Chiao Su et al. Association of Environmental Toxins With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. JAMA neurology, 2016
Stephen A Goutman et al. Associations of self-reported occupational exposures and settings to ALS: a case-control study. International archives of occupational and environmental health, 2022
Francesca Trojsi et al. Exposure to environmental toxicants and pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: state of the art and research perspectives. International journal of molecular sciences, 2013
Qing-Qing Duan et al. Risk factors of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a global meta-summary. Frontiers in neuroscience, 2023
Ming-Dong Wang et al. Identification of risk factors associated with onset and progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurotoxicology, 2017
Nadia A Sutedja et al. Exposure to chemicals and metals and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis : official publication of the World Federation of Neurology Research Group on Motor Neuron Diseases, 2009
Angela M Malek et al. Exposure to hazardous air pollutants and the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), 2015
Tom Koeman et al. Occupational exposure and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a prospective cohort. Occupational and environmental medicine, 2017
V McGuire et al. Occupational exposures and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. A population-based case-control study. American journal of epidemiology, 1997
R Pamphlett et al. Exposure to environmental toxins and the risk of sporadic motor neuron disease: an expanded Australian case-control study. European journal of neurology, 2012
Julia M Morahan et al. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and exposure to environmental toxins: an Australian case-control study. Neuroepidemiology, 2006
Evidence Level:
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Prolonged use of high-powered electrical devices
Living near power lines or cell towers
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Tobacco product usage
Second-hand smoke exposure
Evidence Level:
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Air pollution in urban areas
Exposure to industrial emissions or vehicle exhaust
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Physical injury from accidents
Emotional or psychological stress from traumatic events
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Exposure to combat-related toxins
Psychological trauma from combat
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Electrical equipment manufacturing
Exposure to contaminated fish or air near industrial sites
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Consumption of contaminated shellfish or seafood
Exposure in areas with cyanobacteria blooms
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Consumption through supplements
Use of certain fruits or vegetables
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Direct contact with high-voltage lines
Accidents involving electrical devices
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Prolonged exposure to vehicle emissions
Occupational exposure in transportation or construction industries
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Use of certain pressed-wood products
Household disinfectants
Tobacco smoke
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Occupational exposure in mining or metalworking
Ingestion of contaminated food or water
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Home gardening with insecticides
Living near agricultural areas where insecticides are used
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Contaminated soil or food near agricultural areas
Exposure through pesticide residues
Evidence Level:
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Agricultural pesticide exposure
Handling or using banned pesticides
Evidence Level:
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Exposure to termite control chemicals in older homes
Eating contaminated food (e.g., fish)
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Inhalation during refueling
Exposure in poorly ventilated areas with fuel use
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Consumption of certain oils like sunflower or corn oil
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Inhalation from smoke during house fires
Occupational exposure in metal processing
Accidental ingestion of certain pesticides
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Exposure in explosives manufacturing
Handling or proximity to certain dyes
Working in ammunition plants
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PVC manufacturing
Plastics production
Inhalation of vapors from products or industries using vinyl chloride
Evidence Level:
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Rubber manufacturing
Viscose rayon production
Solvent exposure in industrial settings
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Occupational exposure in chemical plants
Eating contaminated foods like fish or meat
Evidence Level:
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Agricultural or pest control activities
Contaminated water or soil
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Exposure to pesticides in agricultural areas
Ingestion of contaminated foods
Evidence Level:
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Sedentary lifestyle
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Smoking
Evidence Level:
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Exposure from lead-based paint in older homes
Drinking water from lead pipes
Evidence Level:
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Exposure to industrial soot or emissions
Urban air pollution
Evidence Level:
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Inhalation of fumes from paints, cleaners, or fuels
Living in newly constructed homes with off-gassing materials
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Occupational exposure in foundries or mining
Overconsumption through supplements
Evidence Level:
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Occupational exposure in electronics or glass manufacturing
Overconsumption through supplements
Evidence Level:
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Consumption of fish with high mercury levels
Handling broken thermometers or fluorescent bulbs
Evidence Level:
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Exposure from copper pipes in plumbing
Occupational exposure in copper mining or processing
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Inhalation in welding or metalwork
Excessive dietary intake from contaminated water or supplements
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Contaminated groundwater
Ingesting contaminated food (e.g., rice) or drinking water
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Incineration of waste materials
Consumption of animal products like fish and meat
Evidence Level:
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Exposure near airports or military bases
Inhalation in areas with high jet traffic
Evidence Level:
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Proximity to military burn pits
Occupational exposure in waste burning
Evidence Level:
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Overuse of calcium supplements
Hard water consumption
Evidence Level:
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Inhalation from fumes during welding or metal work
Overconsumption from supplements
Evidence Level:
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High consumption of processed foods
Excessive table salt usage
Evidence Level:
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Paint stripping
Use of industrial solvents or degreasers
Evidence Level:
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Nickel alloy manufacturing
Prolonged contact with nickel-containing jewelry or coins
Evidence Level:
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Industrial cleaning operations
Laboratory work with chemicals
Evidence Level:
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Plastic manufacturing
Occupational exposure in boat-building or fiberglass industries
Evidence Level:
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Use of household insecticides
Agricultural pesticide exposure
Evidence Level:
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Use in agricultural weed control
Exposure through contaminated crops or water
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Home pest control
Agricultural use
Evidence Level:
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Insect repellents
Use of lice treatment products
Evidence Level:
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Agricultural fungicide exposure
Working in fields treated with fungicides
Evidence Level:
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Use in agricultural settings
Exposure through residues on food
Evidence Level:
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Agricultural fungicide use
Exposure from treated plants or crops
Evidence Level:
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Fungicide use in gardening
Inhalation during agricultural application
Evidence Level:
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Agricultural herbicide use
Handling or accidental ingestion of herbicides
Evidence Level:
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Agricultural weed control
Exposure through treated lawns or gardens
Evidence Level:
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Use in home gardening or farming
Consumption of residues in treated crops
Evidence Level:
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Agricultural herbicide application
Exposure through drift or contaminated water
Evidence Level:
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Physical accidents
Emotional stress from life-altering events
Evidence Level:
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Dry cleaning work
Inhalation of vapors in dry-cleaned clothes or in certain industrial settings
Evidence Level:
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Inhalation from gasoline fumes
Occupational exposure in chemical industries
Evidence Level:
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Exposure through older electronics or furniture
Household dust in homes with flame-retardant materials
Evidence Level:
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Exposure to contaminated soil or food
Use of banned insecticides
Evidence Level:
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Use of paint thinners
Industrial solvent exposure
Evidence Level:
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Swimming in contaminated water
Drinking contaminated water from algal blooms
Evidence Level:
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Agricultural application
Inhalation or skin contact with fertilizers in gardening
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