A new study has reportedly found that children with Autism Spectrum Disorders were 1.4 to two times more likely to have been exposed to higher levels of air pollution during pregnancy and the first two years of life than children without ASD, according to Forbes.
For the study, which was presented at the American Association for Aerosol Research annual meeting in Orlando, Florida this week, the research team reportedly interviewed 217 families of children with autism. The researchers reportedly estimated each family's exposure to 30 air pollutants.
The research team also reportedly interviewed and estimated the air pollutant exposure of two sets of families of children without autism spectrum disorder who resided in the same areas, according to the media outlet Medical News Today.
The results of the study reportedly showed that children who were highly exposed to two specific air pollutants, styrene and chromium, during their mother's pregnancy or up to the age of two were up to twice as likely to have autism, according to the media outlet.
As the families resided in six different counties in Pennsylvania, including Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland, the research also reportedly explained why autism affected so many people in the region, according to Grant Oliphant, president of The Heinz Endowments, a Pennsylvania-based organization.
"This study brings us a step closer toward understanding why autism affects so many families in the Pittsburgh region and nationwide, and reinforces in sobering detail that air quality matters," stated Oliphant.
He added, "Our aspirations for truly becoming the most livable city cannot be realized if our children's health is threatened by dangerous levels of air toxics. Addressing this issue must remain one of our region's top priorities."
Although the exact cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder is still unknown, many researchers reportedly believe that it's genetic, environmental or both. If further research shows a direct link between exposure to air pollution and the disorder, more effort can reportedly be made to reduce or eliminate the negative exposure.
