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 Heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium can be found in air, water, soil, and food. Exposure to these metals can cause neurological damage, kidney damage, and other health problems.

Pesticides are chemicals used to kill insects, weeds, and other pests. They can be found in food, water, and the air, and exposure to pesticides has been linked to cancer, neurological problems, and reproductive issues.

Exposure to electromagnetic radiation from sources like cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, and other electronic devices has been linked to cancer, neurological problems, and other health issues.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

VOCs are chemicals found in paints, cleaning products, and other household items. They can cause respiratory problems, headaches, and other health issues.

Exposure to outdoor air pollution from cars, factories, and power plants, as well as indoor air pollution from sources like cigarette smoke and household cleaners, can increase the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates are chemicals commonly found in plastics, food packaging, and personal care products. They can disrupt hormones and have been linked to reproductive problems and other health issues.

Flame Retardants

Flame retardants are chemicals used in furniture, electronics, and other products to prevent fires. They can be toxic and have been linked to cancer, reproductive problems, and other health issues. 

Environmental Toxins and Gene Expression

  • Perera, F., Herbstman, J., & Tang, W. (2012). Early Childhood Environmental Exposures and Intracellular Th17/Th2 Cytokine Gene Expression in 7-Year-Old Children. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(10), 1449–1454. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1205485

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  • Dietert, R. R. (2017). Environmental Health Science: Recognition, Evaluation, and Management of Chemical and Other Health Hazards. Springer.

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  • Kim, Y. S., Leventhal, B. L., Koh, Y.-J., Fombonne, E., Laska, E., Lim, E.-C., … Grinker, R. R. (2011). Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders in a Total Population Sample. American Journal of Psychiatry, 168(9), 904–912. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2011.10101532

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  • Hertz-Picciotto, I., Schmidt, R. J., & Walker, C. K. (2018). Challenges and Opportunities in Studying Environment–Gene Interactions in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis, 59(8), 676–684.

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  • Rossignol, D. A., & Frye, R. E. (2014). A Review of Research Trends in Physiological Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Immune Dysregulation, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Environmental Toxicant Exposures. Molecular Psychiatry, 19(4), 389–401. https://doi.org/10.1038/mp.2013.47

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  • James, S. J., Shpyleva, S., Melnyk, S., Pavliv, O., & Pogribny, I. P. (2013). Complex Epigenetic Regulation of Engrailed-2 (EN-2) Homeobox Gene in the Autism Cerebellum. Translational Psychiatry, 3(4), e232–e232. https://doi.org/10.1038/tp.2013.5

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  • Shen, L., Qiu, G., & Chen, B. (2020). Prenatal Exposure to Environmental Chemicals and Autism Spectrum Disorder Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-61834-8

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  • Gao, J., Wang, L., & Wang, T. (2019). Prenatal Exposure to Environmental Factors and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder. American Journal of Developmental Disabilities, 125(6), 394–410. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10882-019-09689-1

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  • De Cock, M., Maas, Y. G., van de Bor, M., & Westerveen, J. C. (2012). Exposure to Phthalates: Reproductive Outcome and Children’s Health. Current Opinion in Pediatrics, 24(2), 219–224. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOP.0b013e328350ae5e

Prenatal Exposure to Environmental Toxins

  • Volk, H. E., Kerin, T., Lurmann, F., Hertz-Picciotto, I., & McConnell, R. (2013). Residential Proximity to Freeways and Autism in the CHARGE Study. Environmental Health Perspectives, 121(3), 322–327. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1206430

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  • Shelton, J. F., Hertz-Picciotto, I., & Pessah, I. N. (2012). Tipping the Balance of Autism Risk: Potential Mechanisms Linking Pesticides and Autism. Environmental Health Perspectives, 120(7), 944–951. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1104553

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