Story at a glance:

• Residents within a mile of golf courses have a 126% higher chance of developing Parkinson's disease compared to those living farther away.

• Golf course chemicals infiltrate groundwater supplies and drift through the air, creating multiple exposure pathways for nearby residents.

• Stricter pesticide regulations in Europe result in dramatically lower chemical hazard scores compared to American golf courses, especially in southern states.

• Dense residential areas near golf courses lack natural barriers, concentrating airborne pesticides and increasing your vulnerability to chemical exposure.

• Regular exercise helps eliminate accumulated pesticides, while water filtration and air purifiers reduce ongoing chemical exposure at home.

In the U.S., Parkinson's disease currently affects around 1.5 million people, with about 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

While age and genetics are believed to be risk factors for this condition, research shows that where you live also plays a role. Specifically, people living right next to golf courses have a higher risk.