Study reveals traffic link to autism

EXPOSURE to traffic fumes and industrial air pollution can dramatically increase a mother’s chances of having a child with autism, research has shown.
A large US study found that the risk was doubled for women living in the most polluted locations. Picture: GettyA large US study found that the risk was doubled for women living in the most polluted locations. Picture: Getty
A large US study found that the risk was doubled for women living in the most polluted locations. Picture: Getty

A large US study found that the risk was doubled for women living in the most polluted locations.

“Our findings raise concerns since, depending on the pollutant, 20 per cent to 60 per cent of the women in our study lived in areas where risk of autism was elevated,” said lead scientist Dr Andrea Roberts, from the Harvard School of Public Health.

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Autism, a developmental disorder that interferes with social and communication skills, affects about 500,000 in the UK.

Researchers identified 325 women who had a child with autism and 22,000 who had children without the disorder. Data collected by the US Environmental Protection Agency was used to assess pollution exposure in the areas where the women lived.

The scientists found a link between being pregnant somewhere with high levels of pollution and having an autistic child.

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