THE PLACE OF MOTOR NEURON DISEASES IN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES

Motor neuron diseases (MND) are a group of progressive, irreversible, fatal neurodegenerative diseases. The most common form of adult MND is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a disease characterised by both upper motor neuron (UMN) and lower motor neuron (LMN) clinical findings. 90% of ALS is sporadic and 5-10% is familial. Studies suggest that age, gender, race and ethnicity, environmental and occupational exposure are effective in the onset of the disease. Patients die between 2-5 years after diagnosis. Occupational exposure plays an important role in the development of ALS, and although studies have shown an association with head trauma, physical activity, electromagnetic fields and electric shocks, military service and neurotoxic chemicals, there are not enough studies conducted on the effects of factors on the disease. Military personnel, working in occupations requiring heavy exercise, working in occupations with high risk of pesticide exposure such as farming, forestry, golf course and garden maintenance, working in occupations with high risk of formaldehyde exposure such as oil extraction, funeral work, hospitals, laboratories, schools, construction, transport, beauty salons, working in paper-cardboard production are at occupational risk for ALS. Although the main cause of the disease is unknown, research on potential risk factors, including occupational exposures, is ongoing.