U Texas autism/mercury study

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Statistical link of autism, mercury sites

Published: April 25, 2008 at 1:26 AM

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, April 25 (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say they have

demonstrated a statistical relationship between autism prevalence and

proximity to mercury-emitting sites.

Researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San

did an analysis of Texas school district data and industrial

mercury-release data that showed a statistically significant link

between increased autism rates and pounds of industrial release of

mercury emitted.

F. Palmer said the study showed -- for the first time in

scientific literature -- a statistically significant association

between autism risk and proximity to the mercury source.

" This is not a definitive study, but just one more that furthers the

association between environmental mercury and autism, " Palmer said in

a statement. " This study was not designed to understand which

individuals in the population are at risk due to mercury exposure,

however, it does suggest generally that there is greater autism risk

closer to the polluting source. "

The researchers reported in the journal Health & Place that the

community autism prevalence is reduced by 1 percent to 2 percent with

each 10 miles of distance from the mercury pollution source.

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