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Prenatal exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increased likelihood of autism, according to a recent Vancouver study.

Lief Pagalan, a Simon Fraser University researcher, conducted the study in Metro Vancouver using birth data from 2004 through 2009.

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The study analyzed air pollution to assess exposure rates over the same period and found that there was an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder in children when their pregnant mothers were exposed to air pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide.

The impact, however, was small and not statistically significant.

“Our study, which indicates that air pollution is associated with ASD in a city with relatively lower levels of air pollution adds to the growing concern that there may be no safe levels of exposure to air pollution,” said Pagalan. “While the causes of ASD are not yet fully known, this study suggests that reducing exposure to air pollutants in pregnant women could reduce the likelihood of their children developing autism.”