from Hacker News

Golf, and other men's hobbies, drive an increase in ALS risk

by sylvainkalache on 3/15/24, 12:09 PM with 14 comments

• by mauvehaus on 3/16/24, 1:32 PM

  If you're wondering how in the hell woodworking exposes you to formaldehyde, the answer is that it's in some glues.

  In particular: urea-formaldehyde glued are used in the manufacture of sheet goods: plywood, OSB, MDF, etc. UF glue is also used in some veneer and lamination work because it gives a hard glue line (unlike yellow wood glues). That reduces springback on bent lamination work.

  I believe it also has a longer open time than most other adhesives used in woodworking. A long open time is really nice if you're doing bent lamination.

  My go-to is liquid hide glue for bent lam and veneer work. It also has a pretty hard glue line and a better open time than hot hide glue, though likely worse than something specifically formulated for a long open time. It's a tradeoff.

• by infecto on 3/16/24, 1:31 PM

  The title is a bit sensationalized but it is the title for the linked article.

  - Participation in certain hobbies and avocational activities alters ALS risk.

  - Avocational activities should be included in ALS exposome studies.

  - Certain exercise, hobbies, and avocational ALS risk factors are sex-specific.

  https://www.jns-journal.com/article/S0022-510X(24)00034-0/ab...

• by Gys on 3/16/24, 1:28 PM

  > While a definitive cause for the condition hasn't been identified, studies have increasingly suggested that the condition is caused by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental exposure to things like pesticides and heavy metals.

• by fylham on 3/16/24, 1:32 PM

  I think it’s worth putting the scary-sounding 300% into context: the CDC says prevalence is 9/100,000. Even tripled, it is a very unlikely outcome for a given man. Which means I’m probably not going to give up woodworking over this (however I will redouble my existing efforts on dust collection).

• by maztaim on 3/16/24, 1:38 PM

  …As I golf, swim, garden and woodwork…

  I sort of understand it, but dammit, I’m enjoying my life.

  I think we exist in a world inundated with chemicals.

  Don’t do these activities and I bet you there is some other disease that gets an increased risk.

• by pylua on 3/16/24, 1:54 PM

  It’s odd that it only affects men. Is it possible that men just spend more time with these hobbies ?

• by nothercastle on 3/16/24, 1:31 PM

  ALS increases in men who have money and hobbies. Wtf study is that? Stinks of 3rd factor problem