Air pollution will increase the risk for children with autism

Children with air pollution spectrum disorder (ASD) are at increased risk of hospitalization.

The study findings, published in the journal BMJ Open, found that protecting children from polluted air can prevent conditions such as hyperactivity, aggression or self-injury.

10 Facts About Air Pollution

Sky high: Carbon dioxide levels in air spike past milestone

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a long range of symptoms and severity. This often results in inflammation of the nerves. Sometimes drugs, supplements, and food can increase the risk of systemic inflammation.

Systemic inflammation occurs when the immune system is continuously active over a long period of time to defend the body.

Researchers from Seoul National University Hospital, South Korea, used official data from patients aged five to 14 with autism who were hospitalized between 2011 and 2015.

Call for urgent global action against marine litter and plastic pollution

They also obtained data on particulate matter (PM 2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) levels for six days in all 16 regions of South Korea.

Deadly wildfires, noise pollution, and disruptive timing of life cycles: UN report identifies looming environmental threats

During the analysis, the researchers found that the average number of children with autism admitted to the hospital daily was 8.5. Of these, the average number of boys was seven and that of girls was 1.6.