The Causes of Autism

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Autism-Air Pollution Update

Originally posted on X.

Flanagan, E., Malmqvist, E., Rittner, R., Gustafsson, P., Källén, K., & Oudin, A. (2023). Exposure to local, source-specific ambient air pollution during pregnancy and autism in children: a cohort study from southern Sweden. Scientific reports, 13(1), 3848. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30877-5.

Study Highlights
Two different measures of autism were used in the study.

1. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) conceptualized as “one or more of the following areas of neurodivergence: qualitative variations in patterns of communication; difficulties with reciprocal social interactions; and a restricted, repetitive collection of behaviors and interests.” [International Classification of Mental and Behavioral Disorders version 10 (ICD-10) diagnosis codes starting with F84]

2. Childhood Autism conceptualized as: “symptoms within all three areas of neurodivergence must be present before the age of 3 years.” ICD-10 diagnosis code F84.0 only.

5 Main Findings

Autism Spectrum Disorders
1. Tailpipe exhaust- 1.3x Adjusted Odds Ratio
2. Vehicle wear-and-tear- 1.24x Adjusted Odds Ratio

Childhood Autism
3. All-source PM2.5- 1.34x Adjusted Odds Ratio
4. Tailpipe exhaust- 1.46x Adjusted Odds Ratio
5. Vehicle wear-and-tear- 1.36x Adjusted Odds Ratio

5 Interesting Quotes

  1. “The relationship between traffic-related air pollution, often tailpipe emissions stemming from diesel fuel and petrol combustion, and adverse health effects is well established.”
  2. “Additionally, vehicle wear-and-tear’s finer fractions contribute to inhalable PM pollution.”
  3. “Associations between tailpipe exhaust particles and low birth weight have been observed in a Swedish study using advanced source-specific exposure data.”
  4. “Associations between ambient wood smoke, and their related markers, and both dementia and childhood asthma have also been found in other Sweden-based studies using advanced exposure assessment data.”
  5. “In Sweden, children born to women who emigrated from Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East are, furthermore, more commonly diagnosed with autism.”

Shh. Quiet in the hall.