Researchers at U.C. Davis are trying to connect the dots leading to 10 autism clusters in California. One theory is that those parents are using certain hazardous household products, exposing their kids to dangers linked to the neuro-developmental disorder that usually surfaces by the time a child turns three.

According to the Contra Costa Times and other news sources reporting the findings, the study authors don’t attribute the cases to a toxic waste plant or other widespread polluter, but rather to household items like cleaners or landscaping products.

The …

Tags: autism , babies , birth defects , California , children , Easy Bay , education , environment , families , flame retardants , hazardous chemicals , health , household products , San Diego , Santa Clara , Sunnyvale , U.C. Davis , Western San Francisco

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A new study conducted by Swedish and American scientists accidentally uncovered a possible link between an environmental chemical and autism.

The original focus of the study was to look at causes of allergies and indoor air pollutants. But one of the questions asked of the Swedish families taking part in the study turned up an interesting curve ball. On asking the families what type of flooring was in their houses, the researchers discovered that there was a high incidence of children with autism in homes that had vinyl floor …

Tags: autism , environmental factors , flooring , linoleum , phthalates , study , Sweden , vinyl

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Mysteriously, autism rates in California have gone up 700% in the past 15 years. Theories abound. Some claim the explosion in cases is because doctors are more aware and are therefore diagnosing more children; but that doesn’t account for such a huge spike. Others insist it’s vaccines containing thimerosal that are to blame; but thimerosal (a mercury compound used as a preservative) was phased out in 1999 and autism continues to skyrocket. Environmentalists have long argued that it must be due to environmental factors.

A …

Tags: autism , children , environment , health , mercury , pollution , toxicity

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