CA Study Cites Chemicals in the Home as Possible Autism Trigger
While autism rates have been climbing at a frightening rate, its root causes have remained elusive. Researchers at the University of California, Davis M.I.N.D. institute have concluded that the focus of autism research should shift away from genetics or accounting practices and toward the increase of toxic chemicals and infectious microbes in the environment, especially in the home. Since 1990, autism rates in California have increased 600 to 700 percent. The study, published in Epidemiology, suggests that environmental toxins like metals, pesticides, and infectious agents could play a large part in the increase.
The dramatic increase in autism rates in California has been attributed to several factors, including increases in families bringing autistic children into California and changes in how autistic children are diagnosed. To address the first issue, the study only looked at California natives. The second issue, accounting practices, played a small part in the increase, but no more than 20% of the overall increase.
