Autism and Toxins

Autism in the United States has increased in the past decade, and new research points to the harmful effect of environmental factors like chemicals and pesticides on the developing brain.

The majority of autism research has focused on finding a genetic link to the disorder. But genetics only account for a quarter of all cases. Dr. Philip Landrigan of Mount Sinai School of Medicine tells host Jeff Young we should look to possible environmental links to autism, including the effects of chemical exposure on a fetus’ developing brain.