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Developmental neurotoxicity and autism: A potential link between indoor neuroactive pollutants and the curious birth

Wesley A Gray1, Vincent A Billock2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Toledo Medical School, Health Science Campus, Pediatric Pharmacology Research Center, Toledo, OH 43614, United States.

International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the International Society for Developmental Neuroscience
|August 3, 2017
PubMed

Insights

First-born infants may face higher autism risk due to increased exposure to neurotoxic chemicals in new products. Subsequent children have lower exposure as products become less potent over time.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Epidemiological studies indicate a higher incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in first-born children.
  • Toxicological research demonstrates that semi-volatile compounds in infant products can negatively impact animal neural and endocrine systems, causing developmental and behavioral issues.
  • Infants are significantly exposed to these chemicals, with peak exposures mirroring levels known to cause neurotoxicity in animal models.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a hypothesis linking infant exposure to neuroactive chemicals from new products with the observed birth-order effect in autism risk.
  • To explore how product newness and socioeconomic factors influence infant chemical exposure and potentially autism risk.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review synthesizing epidemiological, demographic, and toxicological data on autism risk factors and chemical exposures in infants.
  • Hypothesis generation based on comparing infant exposure levels to established neurotoxic thresholds in animal studies.

Main Results:

  • Infant exposure to neuroactive compounds from products is amplified by product newness and availability.
  • First-born children, particularly in higher socioeconomic status families, likely experience the highest exposure to these chemicals.
  • Exposure is diminished for later-born children who use products that have already off-gassed these neuroactive substances.

Conclusions:

  • The newness of infant products may contribute to increased neuroactive chemical exposure, potentially explaining the elevated autism risk in first-borns.
  • This exposure pathway offers a plausible mechanism connecting product use, birth order, and autism risk.
  • Further research into chemical emissions from infant products is warranted to investigate implications for autism risk factors, including gender, socioeconomic status, and season of birth.

Keywords:
Autism birth order risk factorAutism environmental influencesBrominated flame retardants (BFRs)Developmental neurotoxicityPolybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)

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