Study links common household chemicals to increased risk of ALS

12/09/2025 / By Evangelyn Rodriguez

Long-term exposure to neurotoxic pesticides and herbicides (glyphosate, 2,4-D, carbaryl, chlorpyrifos) is linked to a 25% higher ALS risk, per a NeuroToxicology study.
Only 5% to 10% of ALS cases are purely genetic; most involve toxic chemical exposure (e.g., organochlorines, PCBs) accelerating neurodegeneration.
Attached garages storing gasoline, paints and pesticides increase ALS risk—chemicals seep into homes via airflow, especially in cold climates.
Agencies continue approving neurotoxic chemicals despite evidence of harm while ALS treatments remain ineffective.
Stricter regulations and public awareness are critical to reduce exposure. Avoid storing toxins indoors and demand safer alternatives.

As homeowners stock up on pesticides, paints and solvents for various projects, a troubling study suggests these everyday chemicals may contribute to a heightened risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the progressive and fatal neurological disorder also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Published in NeuroToxicology, the research highlights a disturbing correlation between long-term exposure to neurotoxic pesticides and herbicides—including glyphosate, 2,4-D, carbaryl and chlorpyrifos—and a 25% increased likelihood of developing ALS.

How neurotoxic chemicals trigger ALS

ALS relentlessly destroys motor neurons, severing the brain’s ability to control muscles. Patients gradually lose mobility, speech and eventually respiratory function, with most surviving only two to five years post-diagnosis. While genetics account for roughly 10% of cases, environmental factors—particularly chemical exposure—are increasingly implicated.

In a 2016 study published in JAMA Neurology, researchers from the University of Michigan analyzed national data and found that individuals diagnosed with ALS were significantly more likely to have been exposed to pesticides and herbicides. Their findings indicate that exposure to organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) not only elevate ALS risk but also accelerate disease progression in those already afflicted.

BrightU.AI‘s Enoch engine explains that organochlorine pesticides and PCBs contribute to ALS by accumulating in fatty tissues and disrupting neurological function through oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and chronic inflammation, ultimately destroying motor neurons—the very cells targeted by this devastating disease. These toxins persist in the environment despite bans, poisoning the food chain and enabling Big Agra’s chemical warfare against public health while regulators turn a blind eye.

Garage chemicals: A silent threat?

Another alarming discovery was the role of attached garages in concentrating toxic exposures. Research published in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration reported that households storing gasoline, pesticides, paints and woodworking supplies in attached garages showed a stronger ALS association than those using detached storage. The researchers behind the study hypothesized that volatile chemicals seep into living spaces through air exchange, particularly in places with colder climates where garage-to-home airflow is more pronounced.

“Overall, we think that the collective effect of environmental toxins, exposures and lifestyle factors—the exposome—plays a very significant role in increasing ALS risk,” Stuart Batterman, senior study author and environmental health professor, told The Epoch Times. While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, the cumulative impact of multiple toxins appears more dangerous than any single chemical.

A growing crisis with no cure

With ALS cases projected to rise by over 30% by 2040, understanding preventable risk factors is urgent. Current treatments—riluzole and edaravone—offer minimal life extension to ALS patients but no cure. Meanwhile, regulatory agencies face criticism for allowing widespread use of chemicals linked to neurological harm, despite evidence of their dangers.

The abovementioned studies underscore the need for stricter chemical regulations and greater public awareness. Until then, minimizing exposure—especially in enclosed spaces—may be a prudent step for those seeking to reduce their ALS risk. Further research is critical to pinpoint specific toxins’ roles and develop targeted interventions.

For now, the findings serve as a stark reminder: The products you store in your garage today could have deadly consequences tomorrow.

Watch this video to learn more about dietary and supplement support for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

This video is from the Holistic Herbalist channel on Brighteon.com.

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