Register today for the latest Making the Connection event, Air Pollution and Autism, featuring Dr. Evelyn Talbott of Pitt’s Graduate School of Public Health in collaboration with the 43rd “Putting Down Roots Sustainability Salon.”
Date: Saturday, August 22nd Time: 4-7 p.m. Location: “Maren’s house” in Squirrel Hill (exact location will be given upon RSVP)
Recent research conducted by Dr. Talbott and her team found an association between fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) and increased risk of childhood autism. Based on the child’s exposure to concentrations of PM2.5 during the mother’s pregnancy and the first two years of life, the Pitt Public Health team found that children who fell into higher exposure groups were at an approximate 1.5-fold greater risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) after accounting for other factors associated with the child’s risk for ASD.
A previous Pitt Public Health analysis of the study population revealed an association between ASD and increased levels of air pollution.
“Air pollution levels have been declining since the 1990s. However, we know that pockets of increased levels of air pollution remain throughout our region and other areas,” said Dr. Talbott. “Our study builds on previous work in other regions showing that pollution exposures may be involved in ASD. Going forward, I would like to see studies that explore the biological mechanisms that may underlie this association.”
GASP and Aviva Diamond of Moms Clean Air Force will also present.