DDT Metabolite in Pregnant Women Linked to Autism in Kids

[Judi Lynn]

By Janice Wood
~ 2 min read

Elevated levels of a metabolite of the banned insecticide DDT in the blood of pregnant women have been linked to an increased risk for autism in children, according to new research.

The study of more than 1 million pregnancies in Finland is the first to connect an insecticide with risk for autism using maternal biomarkers of exposure, according to an international research team led by scientists at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and the Department of Psychiatry.

Researchers identified 778 cases of childhood autism among children born from 1987 to 2005 to women enrolled in the Finnish Maternity Cohort, which represents 98 percent of pregnant women in Finland.

The researchers matched these mother-child pairs with mothers and children who did not have autism.

More:
https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/08/19/ddt-metabolite-in-pregnant-women-linked-to-autism-in-kids/137955.html

[radical noodle]

1. Isn't DDT banned in the US?

Great article, Judi Lynn. Thanks!

[Judi Lynn]

2. I thought it was, however Republicans might have brought it back! One never knows. Thank you. n/t

[radical noodle]

3. If anyone would bring back DDT

we can count on Republicans to do it.

[Victor_c3]

4. FWIW, DDT was banned in the US in 1972

But wasn’t banned in Europe until 1986 (information courtesy of a quick google search)

[LakeSuperiorView]

5. Finally, something to blame Autism on that isn't crazy.

DDT and it's class of pesticides is failing as mosquitoes become resistant to it in Africa. Which unfortunately means Malaria (the disease, not the FLOTUS) and other mosquito born diseases will be on the rise.