Hidden in the Walls: How Building Material Chemicals May Trigger Tics, Dystonia, and Parkinsonism

Every home is built with the hope of safety, warmth, and comfort. But what if the very materials meant to protect us were silently contributing to devastating health issues—especially neurological ones? Increasing research suggests that chemicals found in modern building materials may play a role in triggering or exacerbating neurological conditions such as motor tics, dystonia, and even parkinsonism.

These symptoms aren't simply inconvenient—they can be life-altering, and in severe cases, push individuals toward emotional despair, isolation, and suicidal thoughts.

The Invisible Offenders: What’s in Our Walls?

Common building materials—especially those used in manufactured or recently constructed homes—may contain a toxic cocktail of:

• Formaldehyde (found in insulation, particle board, and glues)

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) (in paints, sealants, flooring, adhesives)

• Pesticide residues (used to treat wood or foundation soils)

• Flame retardants (in drywall, foam insulation, furniture)

• Heavy metals (in pipes, older paints, and even tap water)

These substances can off-gas or leach into indoor air and dust, creating chronic, low-level exposure over time.

What Does This Have to Do With the Brain?

The central nervous system is highly sensitive to environmental insults. Several studies and clinical case reports have linked chronic exposure to indoor toxins with a variety of neurological conditions:

• Motor tics and facial spasms have been reported in individuals exposed to mold toxins (mycotoxins) and certain VOCs.

• Dystonia—involuntary muscle contractions causing repetitive movements—has been linked to pesticide exposure and neurotoxic solvent inhalation.

• Parkinsonism, including tremors and rigidity, is associated with chronic exposure to chemicals like trichloroethylene (TCE), manganese, and certain pesticides (e.g., paraquat, rotenone), which can damage dopamine-producing neurons in the brain.

A 2020 study published in Environmental Research found that long-term exposure to ambient air pollutants and indoor toxins was associated with a higher risk of developing parkinsonian symptoms and cognitive decline.

Not Just Physical – It’s Mental Health Too

These conditions don’t stop at movement issues. They come with an enormous emotional toll. People experiencing chemical-induced neurological disorders often report:

• Feelings of isolation due to disbelief from others.

• Misdiagnosis as psychiatric illness, delaying proper care.

• Debilitating physical symptoms that limit function, speech, or mobility.

• Hopelessness and despair, particularly when symptoms appear irreversible or misunderstood.

  
  

Many affected individuals have stated that they “don’t feel believed,” especially when symptoms began after moving into a new home or renovating a space. This cycle of toxic exposure → neurological symptoms → emotional crisis is far too common—and dangerously overlooked.

What Needs to Change?

1. More research and recognition into environmental neurotoxins.

2. Greater awareness among healthcare providers about chemical-induced movement disorders.

3. Safe housing advocacy for chemically injured and environmentally sensitive individuals.

4. Holistic suicide prevention that includes evaluating environmental contributors to neurological decline and psychiatric distress.

   
   

A Call to Compassion

At AASP THEY MATTER, we believe that healing starts with being heard. Many people are suffering from real, disabling symptoms that are being dismissed because the root cause—environmental exposure—is invisible. We are working to change that.

If you or someone you love is experiencing new-onset tics, dystonia, or unexplained neurological symptoms after moving or remodeling, trust your body. You are not imagining it. You are not alone. And your life matters.

References:

1. Goldman SM. Environmental toxins and Parkinson’s disease. Annals of Neurology. 2014.

2. Sienkiewicz-Jarosz H. Pesticides and movement disorders. Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska. 2021.

3. Xu X, Ha SU, Basnet R. A Review of Epidemiological Research on Adverse Neurological Effects of Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution. Front Public Health. 2016.

4. Campbell AW. The brain and the immune system: environmental exposures and neuroinflammation. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2004.