In recent years, autism diagnoses have significantly increased, now affecting an estimated 1 in 31 children in the United States, up from 1 in 59 in 2014, according to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A study conducted in 2024 also indicated a 175% increase in diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children and adults over the past decade.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is at the forefront of the discussion on rising autism rates. During a press conference on Wednesday, he suggested that the increase in diagnoses may be attributed to "an environmental toxin."
"Certain entities have profited from introducing this environmental toxin into our air, water, medicines, and food. Normalizing this is in their interest, but it’s not beneficial for our country," Kennedy stated.
According to the CDC, autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disability resulting from differences in the brain. While some individuals with ASD have identifiable differences, such as genetic conditions, the causes for others remain unknown. Scientists believe that multiple causes may contribute to ASD, but more research is needed. A recent study from China found a link between gestational diabetes—diabetes during pregnancy, affecting up to 9% of U.S. pregnancies—and autism, as well as other issues related to the brain and nervous system.
Kennedy announced in the press conference that the department would investigate all "potential culprits." Known for his skepticism towards vaccines, Kennedy founded Children’s Health Defense, an organization aimed at eliminating toxic exposure to end childhood health epidemics, after being approached by parents to examine the connection between mercury—found in water supplies and vaccines as the preservative thimerosal—and autism.
"One must question why this issue is so widespread," Kennedy stated. He announced investigations into five specific "toxins" and what current scientific research suggests about each.
Mold
Mold was identified as a possible culprit. Reviews of previous studies, one from 2021 and another from 2018, suggested potential links between mycotoxins from mold and the development of autism, but a definitive causal relationship has not been established.
Food Additives
Kennedy also mentioned food additives as an area of investigation. A 2020 meta-analysis found a possible link between food dyes and ASD, yet did not establish a definitive cause. A 2019 study from the University of Central Florida suggested that consumption of processed foods with the preservative propionic acid (PPA) by pregnant mothers could potentially alter fetal brain development, linking it to ASD.
Pesticides
Regarding pesticides, a study conducted last year indicated that regions in southern Spain with higher pesticide usage had greater ASD prevalence, suggesting an association between environmental pesticide exposure and autism. A 2023 systematic review indicated that additional research is warranted, considering maternal age as a potential influencing factor due to the increased body pesticide concentration with age. The review also suggested that pesticide exposure might interact with other factors, such as lifestyle and socioeconomic status, which could be harmful or beneficial to nervous system development.
Medicines
While Kennedy did not explicitly cite vaccines, he mentioned looking into "medicines" and their connection to autism. Recently, he appointed a vaccine skeptic to re-evaluate findings from the debunked Wakefield studies that claimed a link between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism. However, common medications during pregnancy and vaccines, including MMR, have not been shown to be associated with ASD, as supported by studies such as a prominent one from Denmark involving 537,303 children.
Ultrasounds
Kennedy suggested exploring ultrasounds, a diagnostic tool using sound waves for imaging, as another area of interest. He highlighted a possible timeline coincidence between autism rates and the use of ultrasound technology, which became common in prenatal care during the 1960s and 70s. However, studies have found no correlation between ultrasound exposure and ASD, and the American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology advises that ultrasounds pose no risk to a developing fetus but recommends them only when medically necessary to err on the side of caution.
The original article was featured on Fortune.com.
