SFU professor co-authors study linking banned chemicals to autistic behaviour

A new study co-authored by an SFU health scientist has found a link between two chemicals and autistic-like behaviours.

Pregnant women who were exposed to high levels of flame retardant PBDE-28 and banned pesticide Chlordane are more likely to have children who exhibit these behaviours.

“Up until now, we have focused most of our time on treatment or identifying genetic risk factors,” says Dr. Bruce Lanphear, who co-authored the study.

“We have lagged, not made the investment on environment risk factors. And why that’s so important is if you want to prevent autism, real focus has to be on the environment. Genetics is important but it is not going to lead you to, in most cases, prevention.”

PBDE is used as a flame retardant on many imported consumer products, including mattresses, furniture and rugs.

Chlordane has been completely banned in Canada for nearly 20 years – but both these chemicals are persistent and linger in the environment.

The researchers did not account for  genetics or other contaminants that harm brain development. They say more research is necessary to investigate the link between autism and exposure to a now banned pesticide.