Occupational and environmental causes of parkinsonism

Occupational causes of parkinsonism have usually been identified by direct temporal association of an exposure with disease symptoms, although recently a latent period between exposure and disease causation is being investigated. This review presents the definition of parkinsonism as contrasted with Parkinson's disease, notes the general concepts important to the consideration of toxic effects on the central nervous system, and addresses each group of agents known to cause parkinsonism, including common sources of exposure, clinical course, and proposed mechanisms of toxicity. Agents discussed include manganese, carbon disulfide, organic solvents, carbon monoxide, and MTPT and similar agents.