Inhaling toxic air can cause autism in kids, study reveals

Autism in kids in the recent past has been witnessing a rise and a new research study suggests that there may be a link between the environment pollutants and the spike in cases of autism spectrum disorder. Research findings suggest a potential link between exposure to air pollution, heavy metals, pesticides, and industrial chemicals during pregnancy or early life and autism. Inhaling poor-quality air in these critical stages may increase the likelihood of developing autism.Autism is a complex condition influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.Studies revealed that prenatal and early-life exposure to air pollutants, especially nitrogen dioxide may increase the risk of autism in children. Apart from that, exposure to neurotoxic compounds like mercury, arsenic has been associated with brain development issues and it is said that pregnant women might be affected and it may harm the fetal development.Not all children are affected by these pollutants when exposed, but reducing the exposure to toxins is beneficial for health outcomes in a broader range. According to a new research, polluted air breathed in by women during pregnancy may be linked to a greater risk of developing autism as the bloodstream through the womb might be affected by the pollutants.A recent analysis in the US mentioned that the rates of ASD has tripled in children in the past few decades and noted that about 3 in every 100 kids have Autism. The American Lung Association report revealed that 39% percent of the US is affected with air pollution and it noted cities with the worst air quality index that includes Phoenix, Arizona, San Jose, California, Eugene, Oregon among others.Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that affects the way people communicate, behave, or interact with others. A person is more likely to have it if someone in their family like a brother, sister or parent is on the spectrum. However, it doesn’t always run in families. Babies who weigh less than 4 pounds, 7 ounces at birth are more at risk of ASD by age 21 than the general population.Several studies found that pregnant women with diabetes – including the temporary kind – had a higher risk of delivering a child with autism than mothers who weren't diabetic. According to Kennedy Krieger Institute, pregnant women with diabetes may face a higher risk of delivering a child with autism than mothers who weren't diabetic.