Pollution favors the appearance of autism

Autism is a mysterious disease whose cause is unknown. It has been speculated on with a good number of hypotheses, from a trauma at the time of birth to a conflict with the mother or an intoxication with the mercury of vaccines, among many others.

The hypothesis of intoxication gains numbers with various investigations that associate environmental contamination with the disease.

Milk teeth show the relationship between contamination and autism

In the teeth, growth layers can be observed, similar to tree rings or ice layers at the pole. And in each layer you can discover the consequences of exposure to pollutants.

From before birth

Milk teeth begin to develop towards the end of the first trimester of gestation, forming a new layer every day, and fall between 6 and 12 years. Therefore, Dr. Arora thought that it would be possible to relate what can be found in the teeth with the medical history of the children.

One of the first findings was that insufficient zinc and excessive lead nutrient intake was associated with a higher risk of suffering from autism. Later, Arora's team discovered that analyzing the metabolic cycles of zinc and copper could predict the diagnosis of autism.

What can we do

But while this public health policy does not come, people will want to reduce risks as much as possible. Newschaffer gives some clues:

- Organic food We can reduce contact with pesticides, especially during pregnancy, consuming organic foods and avoiding the use of insecticides at home.

- Ventilate well. Other pollutants that have been associated with autism are flame retardants. These are found in appliances and many other consumer goods. To reduce the exposure we can make sure to ventilate the interior spaces well.

- Iodized salt Newschaffer also recommends ensuring a sufficient iodine intake, as hypothyroidism is emerging as a possible contributing factor to autism. The most effective measures for this are using iodized salt in prepared meals and occasionally adding small amounts of seaweed to the dishes.

Another measure is to avoid exposure to lead as much as possible. This heavy metal is a neuronal toxic and is found in the contaminated air of industrial metallurgical areas, in the water of houses with lead pipes or with old paintings that contained it in walls, windows and furniture.

Other factors involved

In addition to environmental contamination, it is also true that there are similar associations with other variables, such as the parents' advanced age, little-spaced pregnancies and different complications around the time of birth.