Abstract
The rise in reported prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is a national concern that continues to grow at a record pace. New Jersey has the highest prevalence rate of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) among states surveyed, with approximately 1 in 45 children diagnosed. The pilot study focused on toxins potentially linked to autism: arsenic, lead, manganese, mercury, organophosphate pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, trichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride. In northern NJ there were approximately 4600 Known Contaminated Sites (KCSNJ) where these toxins were detected. A total of 269,790 sample detections were identified. Our objective was to identify and map these sites, and identify methods by which more robust contaminant data could be collected and analyzed. This study resulted in eight original maps showing sample detections. These maps will aid researchers and public health advocates in future analyses exploring links between autism and these toxins. Concentrations of multiple toxins associated with ASDs were most dense near urban industrial or mixed residential/industrial areas, though no conclusions can be made regarding association or causality between the sample detections and autism. Based in part on this study, NJDEP has made and will continue to make improvements to contaminant data collection systems.
Highlights
The marked rise in reported prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is a national public health concern
The primary results from this study are the creation of eight original maps in New Jersey (NJ) showing known contaminated sites of toxins previously linked to ASDs
Concentrations of multiple toxins associated with autism spectrum disorders were most dense near urban industrial or mixed residential/industrial areas, though no conclusions can be made regarding association or causality
Summary
The marked rise in reported prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is a national public health concern. Ming et al in New Jersey examined the relationship between toxic sites and autism diagnoses, concluding, “The area of highest ASDs cases coincides with the highest density of toxic landfill sites while the area with lowest ASDs cases has the lowest density of toxic landfill sites. These significant observations call for further organized studies to elucidate possible role(s) of environmental toxicants contributing to the pathogenesis of ASDs” [2]
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