Photo: theskyisbig.blogspot.com
We are all aware of the fact that the noxious fumes that come out of the back of cars sunning on oil-based fuels are highly poisonous and damaging to human health, yet we don`t really seem to grasp the extent of their negative effects.
A new study suggests that among the many bad things exhaust smoke does to humans, particularly very young ones, is raise the risk of autism. It was conducted at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine (USC), and it analyzed data from 279 children with autism, and compared it to the data gathered from a group of 245 children who didn`t have it.
The research also included data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and traffic simulations were carried out in order to analyze how much pollution had been recorded at the addresses where the tested children lived. They concluded that the closer the child lives to a busy freeway, the greater the risk of getting autism, and those who live less than 1,000 feet from a freeway are the most exposed.
Still, the USC researchers are aware if the fact it is still too soon to tell whether or not there is a direct link between air pollution and autism, and more years of research will be required in order to give a definitive answer on the matter, or at least a clearer one.
Story via webmd.com and treehugger.com
The research also included data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and traffic simulations were carried out in order to analyze how much pollution had been recorded at the addresses where the tested children lived. They concluded that the closer the child lives to a busy freeway, the greater the risk of getting autism, and those who live less than 1,000 feet from a freeway are the most exposed.
Still, the USC researchers are aware if the fact it is still too soon to tell whether or not there is a direct link between air pollution and autism, and more years of research will be required in order to give a definitive answer on the matter, or at least a clearer one.
Story via webmd.com and treehugger.com
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