Sunday, January 13, 2013

Is autism affected by pollution?



 http://healthland.time.com/2012/11/27/autism-and-air-pollution-the-link-grows-stronger/ 

Autism and Air Pollution: The Link Grows Stronger

           


           Autism is a disorder that has confused people because it does not have a know cause. A scientist in California saw a correlation between a rise in autism and more pollution in the air. In the top 25% most polluted places people were more likely to be diagnosed than people in the bottom 25% of most polluted. Data collected today shows the biggest environmental factor in regards to autism is pollution in the air. The effects of pollution begin before children can even breathe on their on. Mothers are more likely to have a child born with this disorder if they live with in 1,000 feet off a freeway during pregnancy. Additionally, when studies took into account parents’ race, ethnicity, education and smoking status; the results where virtually unchanged.  The researchers believe that the way pollution contributes to the disorder of autism is that the pollution effects neurological functioning and inflammation of the brain. It is stressed throughout the article that this in not a singular contributor to autism. There are many other environmental and genetic factors that should be explored.

Reflection

My brother has autism. I would really like to know why he got autism and I did not if we were being exposed to the same amount of pollution at the same time. I think that this theory is something that should be explored more and people should always be looking for an explanation as to why there is increase in autism diagnose.

Question

1)      Do you believe that this study is showing accurate results?
2)      Do you agree with the statement that an increase in pollution has caused an increase in the number of people with autism?
3)      Do you think laws should be put in place to stop or decrease the pollution that may be causing the increase of autism?

 

2 comments:

  1. 1.) Do you believe that this study is showing accurate results? I think that it is half accurate, that there can be other reasons for autism, not just pollution.
    2.) Do you agree with the statement that an increase in pollution that has caused an increasing in the number of people with autism? I half agree with it, because there could also be other factors, such as family history or birth defects.
    3.) Do you think laws should be put in place to stop or decrease the pollution that may be causing the increase of autism?
    I think that if laws were put into place to reduce the amount of pollution, I doubt that it would do anything because there are so many sources of pollution and it is hard to pin point where every piece of pollution comes from

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  2. This is very new information to me as I thought autism was just a genetic disorder. The fact that it can be caused by environmental factors is shocking, but realistic, when you look at the numbers. This is a new take , or interesting twist to the possible source of this disorder and should be further researched. If someone is autistic, it does not mean they are weird; they are different. Everyone is different in their own way, and unfortunately, these kids gets bullied due to "being different". People need to be aware of autism. It seems that a large number of families are affected by this disorder.

    1. Do you know someone with autism?
    2. Do you agree that autistic levels are too high?
    3. Do you think the United States should fully research this disorder in hopes to find a pinpoint source and a possible cure? Why or why not?

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