In utero exposure to toxic air pollutants and risk of childhood autism

von Ehrenstein, OS; Aralis, H; Cockburn, M; Ritz, B

HERO ID

2453135

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2014

Language

English

PMID

25051312

HERO ID 2453135
In Press No
Year 2014
Title In utero exposure to toxic air pollutants and risk of childhood autism
Authors von Ehrenstein, OS; Aralis, H; Cockburn, M; Ritz, B
Journal Epidemiology
Volume 25
Issue 6
Page Numbers 851-858
Abstract <strong>BACKGROUND:: </strong>Genetic and environmental factors are believed to contribute to the development of autism, but relatively few studies have considered potential environmental risks. Here, we examine risks for autism in children related to in utero exposure to monitored ambient air toxics from urban emissions.<br /><br /><strong>METHODS:: </strong>Among the cohort of children born in Los Angeles County, California, 1995-2006, those whose mothers resided during pregnancy in a 5-km buffer around air toxics monitoring stations were included (n = 148,722). To identify autism cases in this cohort, birth records were linked to records of children diagnosed with primary autistic disorder at the California Department of Developmental Services between 1998 and 2009 (n = 768). We calculated monthly average exposures during pregnancy for 24 air toxics selected based on suspected or known neurotoxicity or neurodevelopmental toxicity. Factor analysis helped us identify the correlational structure among air toxics, and we estimated odds ratios (ORs) for autism from logistic regression analyses.<br /><br /><strong>RESULTS:: </strong>Autism risks were increased per interquartile range increase in average concentrations during pregnancy of several correlated toxics mostly loading on 1 factor, including 1,3-butadiene (OR = 1.59 [95% confidence interval = 1.18-2.15]), meta/para-xylene (1.51 [1.26-1.82]), other aromatic solvents, lead (1.49 [1.23-1.81]), perchloroethylene (1.40 [1.09-1.80]), and formaldehyde (1.34 [1.17-1.52]), adjusting for maternal age, race/ethnicity, nativity, education, insurance type, parity, child sex, and birth year.<br /><br /><strong>CONCLUSIONS:: </strong>Risks for autism in children may increase following in utero exposure to ambient air toxics from urban traffic and industry emissions, as measured by community-based air-monitoring stations.
Doi 10.1097/EDE.0000000000000150
Pmid 25051312
Wosid WOS:000343122000010
Url https://search.proquest.com/docview/1566820801?accountid=171501
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Comments Journal: Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.) ISSN:
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword Adolescent; Air Pollutants/toxicity; Autistic Disorder/chemically induced/epidemiology; Birth Certificates; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects; Environmental Monitoring; Los Angeles/epidemiology; Maternal Age; Pregnancy; Vehicle Emissions/toxicity