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More Evidence Links Autism to Air Pollution
New research adds to the growing body of evidence linking traffic-related air pollution to the development of autism.
The study, conducted by investigators at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, is the first to examine associations between autism and air pollution in North Carolina.
Its results support those from past studies in California, even though the two states have different climates and weather patterns. The study also linked exposure to air pollution during the third trimester of pregnancy, in particular, to autism in the offspring.
“The evidence is suggesting that some component of vehicle emissions may be associated with autism spectrum disorders,” states first author Amy Kalkbrenner, PhD, MPH.
The study has not definitively proven that some component of air pollutants is actually responsible for the development of autism, Dr Kalkbrenner pointed out, but the results add to the evidence pointing in that direction.
“There is now a wealth of studies showing that systemic inflammation in the body may be responsible for the early brain damage that results in autism,” said Dr Kalkbrenner. “We also know that exposure to air pollution can cause this body-wide inflammatory response. This could very well change the way the brain is developing.”
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