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Based on observations made in six Pittsburgh counties, researchers have shown a link between Autism risk and air toxics.

Researchers from the Graduate School of Public Health Investigation at the University of Pittsburgh interviewed 217 families of autistic children from Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland counties. They then interacted with families of children without the disorder fro the same areas, to determine risk of a child developing autism during the mother's pregnancy and during the first two years of life.

 "Autism spectrum disorders are a major public health problem, and their prevalence has increased dramatically. Despite its serious social impact, the causes of autism are poorly understood. Very few studies of autism have included environmental exposures while taking into account other personal and behavioral risk factors. Our analysis is an addition to the small but growing body of research that considers air toxics as one of the risk factors for ASD," said Evelyn Talbott principal investigator of the analysis, in a press release.

Researchers used exposure data for 30 pollutants provided by Environmental Protection Agency to calculate risk. The team found that children who were heavily exposed to chromium and styrene when their mothers were pregnant and during the first two years of life, were at two fold risk of developing autism spectrum disorders.

"This study brings us a step closer toward understanding why autism affects so many families in the Pittsburgh region and nationwide - and reinforces in sobering detail that air quality matters. Our aspirations for truly becoming the most livable city cannot be realized if our children's health is threatened by dangerous levels of air toxics. Addressing this issue must remain one of our region's top priorities," said Grant Oliphant, president of The Heinz Endowments which funded the study.

While chromium is largely released by steel industries, styrene is released by plastic industries but can also result from vehicular exhaust.