Air pollution may raise risk of autism, study finds

Exposure to air pollutants during critical developmental periods may significantly impact autism risk, according to groundbreaking research.

The study, published in the journal Brain Medicine, reveals how common air pollutants, including fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, can trigger complex biological cascades affecting brain development.

"Different kinds of neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, can be associated with this environmental factor," said Professor Haitham Amal from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the study's senior author. "The timing of exposure appears crucial, with heightened vulnerability during prenatal development and early childhood when critical neurodevelopmental processes occur."

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Of particular concern is the finding that smaller particles can cross the placenta and affect foetal brain development. This revelation raises important questions about protective measures for pregnant women in highly polluted areas.

"The research suggests that individuals with genetic predisposition to ASD (autism spectrum disorder) may be more vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution exposure," Professor Amal adds. "This interaction between genetic and environmental factors opens new avenues for understanding ASD's complex etiology.

“My lab has shown that nitrogen oxide plays a major role in ASD. However, this study emphasises the critical role of this molecule and its derivatives on the brain."

The researchers say there are implications that extend beyond individual health to public policy, such as how cities need to adapt their urban planning to protect vulnerable populations and the role air quality monitoring could play in prenatal care.