Finnish health register data tracks air quality across decades

Written by Marisa Horak, MS | Aug. 6, 2026

• Long-term exposure to ozone air pollution may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
• Animal studies suggest ozone exposure can trigger brain damage similar to Parkinson's pathology.
• Further research using reliable methodologies is needed to confirm the association.

Long-term exposure to ozone, a form of air pollution, may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study from Finland.

“In this nationwide register study of long-term exposure to gaseous air pollutants and [Parkinson’s] risk, we observed a borderline statistically significant increased risk for [Parkinson’s] after long-term exposure to [ozone],” researchers wrote.

The study, “Long-term exposure to six gaseous air pollutants and risk of Parkinson’s Disease,” was published in npj Parkinson’s Disease.

 Parkinson’s risk elevated among those with higher ozone exposure

The causes of Parkinson’s are not fully understood. the disease’s development may be influenced by many different risk factors. An emerging body of evidence suggests that some types of air pollution may increase Parkinson’s risk, but these associations have not been proven definitively.

Ozone is a type of air pollution that forms as a result of reactions between chemicals made from industry and fossil fuel combustion. In previous studies, ozone has been identified as one of the main air pollutants that may influence the risk of Parkinson’s disease.