Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may raise a child’s risk of autism by disrupting brain development, according to a new study.
Gracie Abadee reports for the BBC.
In short:
- Researchers found a strong link between a pregnant woman’s exposure to fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides to increased autism risk for her child.
- Timing is critical; prenatal exposure appears to have the greatest impact during key developmental periods for the fetal brain.
- These pollutants can cross the placenta, potentially affecting brain pathways related to nerve communication, hormone balance and chemical reactions.
Key quote:
"The timing of exposure appears crucial, with heightened vulnerability during prenatal development.”
— Professor Haitham Amal, study senior author
Why this matters:
This research could prompt health guidelines to protect pregnant women in high-pollution areas, adding urgency to environmental and public health discussions on pollution control. As smog levels rise, so could the risk of these developmental challenges, leaving parents and healthcare professionals alike with a tough reality: the air we breathe doesn’t just impact our own health but could silently shape the futures of the next generation. Read more: Black, Hispanic and poor children are more exposed to pollution that ends up harming their brains.
