Child autism linked to everyday chemicals

CHILDREN’S exposure to chemicals used to make everyday goods could be linked to brain development conditions such as autism, according to medical experts.

Chemicals like pesticides, flameretardants and plastics in furniture, cosmetics, airbags, cigarette smoke, water bottles, food containers, CDs and safety equipment pose “real risks”. Experts warn they especially put foetuses at risk because they disrupt the thyroid hormone.

Levels of the thyroid hormone in pregnant women is the key to brain development in unborn children and a report says even moderate disruption can have an impact on cognitive development.

Many of the substances were banned decades ago but as they were produced in high production volumes and have a long-term effect, they are still an issue today.

The report in Endocrine Connections warned that public health policy “does not fully address the risks to vulnerable populations”.

Study leader Professor Barbara Demeneix at Universite ParisSorbonne said they examined the exposure of pregnant women and children to “thyroid-hormone-disrupting chemicals and...they provide a plausible link to the increased incidence of neurodevelopment conditions, including autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders.

“Many experts consider the testing guidelines are not sensitive enough and do not take into account...risks to pregnant women”.