New study published in Environmental Science and Technology
Vishal Midya, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, published research in Environmental Science & Technology that leveraged data from the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and Environment study. Dr. Midya and his team utilized machine-learning tools to analyze the interactions between environmental chemicals, pesticides, phthalates, phenols, and trace elements, and investigate their connection to the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
An analysis of 62 chemical exposures identified in urine collected from children with ASD revealed that exposure to the trace element cadmium, a pesticide commonly used in the home and on produce, and a chemical compound used in wood and glue preservatives, fungicides, and insecticides—may increase the odds of developing the disorder. While these findings need to be validated through clinical studies, this research demonstrates the advanced utility of machine-learning tools to navigate vast datasets, correlate information, and ultimately identify chemical interactions that may be useful to clinicians and researchers.
This new methodology provides a pathway for new environment-health discoveries and has implications specifically for the need to develop policy guidelines for limiting pesticide exposure during critical windows of development.