Is Air Pollution Contributing to the Rise in Autism?

Asthma, cancer...autism. If you need yet another reason to abhor vehicle emissions and air pollution see a new report published in Environmental Health Perspectives which links in utero exposure to air pollutants to an increased risk of autism.

1 minute read

June 20, 2013, 12:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"Nobody knows what exactly causes autism," writes Ariel Schwartz. "Genetics are probably a piece of it. Vaccines are not. A new study says there’s another trigger: air pollution." 

"The study, published this week in Environmental Health Perspectives, tested the idea that air pollution while in utero can contribute to autism in children. It’s a hypothesis supported by past research--other studies have found a link, but only conducted their research in three states. This most recent study looked at children in all 50 states. The result: exposure to air pollutants--including diesel, lead, manganese, mercury, and methylene chloride--in utero increases the risk of autism, especially in boys."

Tuesday, June 18, 2013 in Fast Company Co.Exist

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